Heads rework - cost? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Trip59 · 04-10-2010, 08:45 PM

Hi folks, hoping you can give me a rough idea of what I'm looking at. I stripped the 67 327 heads today. I know I need new valves, prices on them is easy, same with springs, rockers, etc. What I'm wondering is what kind of price range are guide replacements, maybe seat replacements now a days?

Trip

tim21391 · 04-10-2010, 09:13 PM

like grind seats and knurl the guides?

rsavage · 04-10-2010, 10:26 PM

I made the mistake of taking a set of heads to my NAPA store for the machine work. Told them nothing fancy. $450 later I had a nothing fancy valve job. Just a few guides needed to be done and a few valves replaced. I will definitely go somewhere else for my next set.

Trip59 · 04-10-2010, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim21391

like grind seats and knurl the guides?

Replace the seats and install liners... knurling IMHO is half-assing it. Seats, well, 67 was leaded, I'd rather put in new seats.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsavage

I made the mistake of taking a set of heads to my NAPA store for the machine work. Told them nothing fancy. $450 later I had a nothing fancy valve job. Just a few guides needed to be done and a few valves replaced. I will definitely go somewhere else for my next set.

That's what I'm trying to avoid...

The heads are solid, there was just a little play in the stems, don't even know if it was too much, maybe I ought to buy a set and check the play...

HOGDADDY · 04-10-2010, 11:28 PM

By the time you have all that work done for a few hundred more could have got some vortecs or even Edelbrock heads and have a better head too.

Trip59 · 04-11-2010, 12:34 AM

Ok, send me a few hundred... LOL

Actually, part of it is that I want to run them, it's a 1967 300hp 327c.i. motor. Wasn't looking to overdo it, figured stock would be nice. How bad could guides and seats be? Surely not close to a grand...

Trip

vectorit · 04-11-2010, 12:52 AM

If I were you, I'd find a shop that understands your point of view.

Places like Napa could give a flip about what year or how valuable the heads are.

When I did my engine work, I had a shop that worked on all kinds of old stuff. Plus they had a racing heritage that went back to the 50's, so they knew all about what I had and what I wanted. I probably spent more money in fixing upwards of 4 decades of wear, but I wanted my original stuff so that everything down the road "worked".

Those kinds of shops are getting harder to find unfortunately.

If I were to do it all again, I'd probably be looking at a set of new cast iron heads. Personally I'm not a fan of vortec heads on a stock builder, and the aluminum Edlebrocks are cool but not what I'd choose for a engine that I wanted to look like a 1960's era stock looking engine.

I think Summit had a really nice package deal on their new cast iron head kit, which from what I have read from other members here they were very pleased.

cdowns · 04-11-2010, 07:33 AM

i'd spend the money for modern technology in the long run it's the cheapest way out

tim21391 · 04-11-2010, 10:17 PM

well i know its half assing it.. but i was just wondering but they showed us how to do that and its a piece of cake.. took like 2 hours..

Trip59 · 04-11-2010, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim21391

well i know its half assing it.. but i was just wondering but they showed us how to do that and its a piece of cake.. took like 2 hours..

Meant no offense man, hope it didn't come across that way. IMO, knurling is a good thing to do to stretch it a bit longer, keep something on the road, etc.

I don't want to go new, I want to keep the motor original, I scored some script Chevy valve covers and a road draft... an OEM one, to use instead of a PCV, just swapped in an Ignitor II to use a points style distributor, etc.

In fact, the only change I'm making is to use a modern carb (probably a performer) I'm going to use a modern air cleaner but am planning to chase in 'Chevrolet' in script to match the valve covers. Low alt bracket to keep the top clean (no holes on heads).

I'm thinking about buying a set of valves and checking the play, though I imagine it might be the guides that wore more than the valves...

The seats look fine to me, but I figured it'd be worth doing if they were in already. Mainly just looking for references so I don't get ripped off.

Trip

Trip

**truckdude239** · 04-11-2010, 10:50 PM

the 67 heads are good heads problem with witht the valve seats. if they have never been touched you'r looking at having the seats cut out and new hardened seats installed i was qutoed 350 a head to fix mine they are still sitting on ym work bench

tim21391 · 04-13-2010, 12:28 AM

no man its cool no worries i agree with ya though we just knurled mine because we didnt know if we wanted new heads at the time.. but i ditched the stock ones and bought brand new aluminum heads

BarryB · 04-13-2010, 01:04 AM

heres what I would do for sure. Have the valve seats replaced absolute must to run this gas we have now. new valves but only if they are worn,If they can be cleaned up and aren't warped run them. Have bronze valve guides installed. reason for those is so if you ever want to, you can run stainless valves without a problem. I would say take them to a local older machine shop, and look to spend roughly 300 bucks or more. I had mine dome , but I had the whole nine yards done to them, I had right about 700 800 bucks into them with all the new parts.

Trip59 · 04-13-2010, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarryB

heres what I would do for sure. Have the valve seats replaced absolute must to run this gas we have now. new valves but only if they are worn,If they can be cleaned up and aren't warped run them. Have bronze valve guides installed. reason for those is so if you ever want to, you can run stainless valves without a problem. I would say take them to a local older machine shop, and look to spend roughly 300 bucks or more. I had mine dome , but I had the whole nine yards done to them, I had right about 700 800 bucks into them with all the new parts.

7-8 each or 7-8 for the pair?

The valves were worn to hell, I had hoped to just clean the heads up and run, but they had a noticable slop to them.

Trip

Diablo de la Noche · 04-13-2010, 02:04 AM

I have a '86 GM Goodwrench 350 and I was quoted 400 on rebuilt heads (total for the pair) with stiffer springs, that's if I trade in my old heads. They are in pretty good condition. I was told that was a little steep, though.

dirtyd_nd · 04-13-2010, 08:21 AM

Trip,
Take them to Dover heads over off of Wells industrial loop. Everyone I've talked to in this area says that's the place to go. I have yet to drop mine off. Lack of funds. But I did stop buy and they were going to do the heads on my 454 for $500 with parts. They'll do a port and polish if you want also. But then the price starts to rise fairly quick.
Dale

Trip59 · 04-13-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtyd_nd

Trip,
Take them to Dover heads over off of Wells industrial loop. Everyone I've talked to in this area says that's the place to go. I have yet to drop mine off. Lack of funds. But I did stop buy and they were going to do the heads on my 454 for $500 with parts. They'll do a port and polish if you want also. But then the price starts to rise fairly quick.
Dale

Awesome! I'll call them today!

Not looking for port/polish, might gasket match them myself, but it's great to know they CAN do it too...

Trip

Trip59 · 04-13-2010, 03:43 PM

$350 for the pair plus parts...(valves, springs, etc. the guides and seats are included)

sounds damn reasonable to me.

04-10-2010, 08:45 PM	#1
Trip59 Who needs sleep... Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Middleburg, Florida Posts: 260	Heads rework - cost? Hi folks, hoping you can give me a rough idea of what I'm looking at. I stripped the 67 327 heads today. I know I need new valves, prices on them is easy, same with springs, rockers, etc. What I'm wondering is what kind of price range are guide replacements, maybe seat replacements now a days? Trip __________________ Trip 72 GMC 1/2T LWB Build and Project Blog: http://72.tripbauer.com/

04-10-2010, 09:13 PM	#2
tim21391 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Salina, Kansas Posts: 1,998	Re: Heads rework - cost? like grind seats and knurl the guides? __________________ 1972 C-10...402/400..flowmaster 40 series 1967 Mustang 347 stroker/C-4 1966 Mustang 289/3-speed 2013 Mustang V6/6speed w/300 ponies I may be 23, but i sure do knows 67-72s are sexy! Its not MPG its smiles per gallon! build started 11/25/08 build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=2993796

04-10-2010, 10:26 PM	#3
rsavage Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Alden NY Posts: 2,705	Re: Heads rework - cost? I made the mistake of taking a set of heads to my NAPA store for the machine work. Told them nothing fancy. $450 later I had a nothing fancy valve job. Just a few guides needed to be done and a few valves replaced. I will definitely go somewhere else for my next set. __________________ 1961 C1 Corvette 1959 El Camino 350 TPI, 9" 4 w disc 69 Blazer K5 - sold July '20 2021 Durango RT 5.7

04-10-2010, 11:28 PM	#5
HOGDADDY Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 661	Re: Heads rework - cost? By the time you have all that work done for a few hundred more could have got some vortecs or even Edelbrock heads and have a better head too.

04-11-2010, 12:34 AM	#6
Trip59 Who needs sleep... Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Middleburg, Florida Posts: 260	Re: Heads rework - cost? Ok, send me a few hundred... LOL Actually, part of it is that I want to run them, it's a 1967 300hp 327c.i. motor. Wasn't looking to overdo it, figured stock would be nice. How bad could guides and seats be? Surely not close to a grand... Trip __________________ Trip 72 GMC 1/2T LWB Build and Project Blog: http://72.tripbauer.com/

04-11-2010, 12:52 AM	#7
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: Heads rework - cost? If I were you, I'd find a shop that understands your point of view. Places like Napa could give a flip about what year or how valuable the heads are. When I did my engine work, I had a shop that worked on all kinds of old stuff. Plus they had a racing heritage that went back to the 50's, so they knew all about what I had and what I wanted. I probably spent more money in fixing upwards of 4 decades of wear, but I wanted my original stuff so that everything down the road "worked". Those kinds of shops are getting harder to find unfortunately. If I were to do it all again, I'd probably be looking at a set of new cast iron heads. Personally I'm not a fan of vortec heads on a stock builder, and the aluminum Edlebrocks are cool but not what I'd choose for a engine that I wanted to look like a 1960's era stock looking engine. I think Summit had a really nice package deal on their new cast iron head kit, which from what I have read from other members here they were very pleased. __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU

04-11-2010, 07:33 AM	#8
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Heads rework - cost? i'd spend the money for modern technology in the long run it's the cheapest way out __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

04-11-2010, 10:17 PM	#9
tim21391 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Salina, Kansas Posts: 1,998	Re: Heads rework - cost? well i know its half assing it.. but i was just wondering but they showed us how to do that and its a piece of cake.. took like 2 hours.. __________________ 1972 C-10...402/400..flowmaster 40 series 1967 Mustang 347 stroker/C-4 1966 Mustang 289/3-speed 2013 Mustang V6/6speed w/300 ponies I may be 23, but i sure do knows 67-72s are sexy! Its not MPG its smiles per gallon! build started 11/25/08 build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=2993796

04-11-2010, 10:50 PM	#11
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,236	Re: Heads rework - cost? the 67 heads are good heads problem with witht the valve seats. if they have never been touched you'r looking at having the seats cut out and new hardened seats installed i was qutoed 350 a head to fix mine they are still sitting on ym work bench __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

04-13-2010, 12:28 AM	#12
tim21391 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Salina, Kansas Posts: 1,998	Re: Heads rework - cost? no man its cool no worries i agree with ya though we just knurled mine because we didnt know if we wanted new heads at the time.. but i ditched the stock ones and bought brand new aluminum heads __________________ 1972 C-10...402/400..flowmaster 40 series 1967 Mustang 347 stroker/C-4 1966 Mustang 289/3-speed 2013 Mustang V6/6speed w/300 ponies I may be 23, but i sure do knows 67-72s are sexy! Its not MPG its smiles per gallon! build started 11/25/08 build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=2993796

04-13-2010, 01:04 AM	#13
BarryB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Blountville, Tn. Posts: 3,904	Re: Heads rework - cost? heres what I would do for sure. Have the valve seats replaced absolute must to run this gas we have now. new valves but only if they are worn,If they can be cleaned up and aren't warped run them. Have bronze valve guides installed. reason for those is so if you ever want to, you can run stainless valves without a problem. I would say take them to a local older machine shop, and look to spend roughly 300 bucks or more. I had mine dome , but I had the whole nine yards done to them, I had right about 700 800 bucks into them with all the new parts. __________________ We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp; some are pretty;and some are dull. Some have weird names; and all are different colours;but they all have to live in the same box. You may be only one person in the world, But you may also be the world to one person. * Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. Two rules in life. 1. Never sweat the small stuff! 2. Everything is small stuff!

04-13-2010, 02:04 AM	#15
Diablo de la Noche Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 142	Re: Heads rework - cost? I have a '86 GM Goodwrench 350 and I was quoted 400 on rebuilt heads (total for the pair) with stiffer springs, that's if I trade in my old heads. They are in pretty good condition. I was told that was a little steep, though. __________________ www.coolmoodart.com

04-13-2010, 08:21 AM	#16
dirtyd_nd Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: JACKSONVILLE, FL Posts: 112	Re: Heads rework - cost? Trip, Take them to Dover heads over off of Wells industrial loop. Everyone I've talked to in this area says that's the place to go. I have yet to drop mine off. Lack of funds. But I did stop buy and they were going to do the heads on my 454 for $500 with parts. They'll do a port and polish if you want also. But then the price starts to rise fairly quick. Dale

04-13-2010, 03:43 PM	#18
Trip59 Who needs sleep... Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Middleburg, Florida Posts: 260	Re: Heads rework - cost? $350 for the pair plus parts...(valves, springs, etc. the guides and seats are included) sounds damn reasonable to me. __________________ Trip 72 GMC 1/2T LWB Build and Project Blog: http://72.tripbauer.com/



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