I don't want the heads resurfaced but machine shop recommends anytime they been ran? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

weider1717 · 01-22-2018, 01:24 PM

Cast heads and doing top end band aid for a couple years knowing later the rear freeze plugs etc will go as one on the drivers side has went which is my reason for not resurfacing and saving that meat for later when I rebuild.

Machine shop guy said "i never saw heads that have been ran and didn't need resurfaced"

should I insist on them being checked and only do it if they need it? I implied that but he was pretty set on resurfacing them so I just said "Ok"

thoughts?

**hatzie** · 01-22-2018, 01:45 PM

Check em with a machinist straight edge and feeler gauges. If they don't need it then don't do it.
If they guy won't listen take your business elsewhere.

*gmachinz* · 01-22-2018, 01:51 PM

They are just covering their ass in case the re-install goes bad ie leaking coolant. Surfacing is pretty much a standard process whether they need it or not.

Dead Parrot · 01-22-2018, 02:30 PM

How much are the charging for the resurface?
How much is your time to install, pull if they leak, get them resurfaced, reinstall worth?
OTOH, probably been many tens of thousands of heads pulled to install new valve seals and put back on without any further work that have been fine.

If they are already at the shop for some machine work, probably better to have them do the resurface and get whatever backing they offer on their work.

1970pelle · 01-22-2018, 03:59 PM

What year is the engine ? How many miles ? Has it been into before that you know of ?
Looking at it through a tech's eyes your halfway there, why not have the decked and know your covered. Given today's head gaskets are far superior, than the ones used when the engine was first built. I would like the added security of a smooth surface.

Ken

Tom · 01-22-2018, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weider1717

Cast heads and doing top end band aid for a couple years knowing later the rear freeze plugs etc will go as one on the drivers side has went which is my reason for not resurfacing and saving that meat for later when I rebuild.

????
Your already rebuilding, the heads. Your going to rebuild them yet again in a couple years when the rest of the engine goes just cause?
Either rebuild them correctly including surfacing if needed, or do what you want and take the gamble they last. I'm not sure how many times they've been shaved before, but you have a bunch of shaves allowed on stock heads so I doubt your removing any future possibilitys

**LEEVON** · 01-22-2018, 06:03 PM

It's best practice. My machine shop charges like $50 or $60 for a check and deck on a pair. It's like $35 for a single 4 cylinder head. I mean stupid cheap for what they do. Well worth the peace of mind. With that said I've re-assembled small blocks without decking, no issues. Up to you man, but they're not trying to screw you, he's right they all "need" to be decked, it's a matter of how much.

weider1717 · 01-22-2018, 11:30 PM

Thanks for all the replies.

truck is an 87 with 68k original miles never into until now. I don't mind the $ for resurfacing I am just very picky with my truck and since I am not doing a complete rebuild yet I just say "check the heads and if they're straight don't deck them" so I can maintain as much life as possible with the original engine parts because I will NOT ever sell this truck it will be my kids one day so I am just trying to preserve it best I can.

Nick_R_23 · 01-23-2018, 04:58 AM

You might be getting confused on the work they are performing. "Decking" a head implies removing a larger amount of material, usually for the purpose of shrinking the combustion chamber and raising compression. It's also used to restore a severely warped head from improper torquing, or an overheat event. You usually will not need to deck a head unless it's for a specific reason.

"(Re)surfacing" a head is removing a very minimal amount of material simply to remove any imperfections on the sealing surface, such as dings or scratches, low or high spots, or very minor warping. This is standard procedure when a head is removed to eliminate the possibility of there being any gasket sealing issues when the head is reinstalled.

Definitely a good procedure to follow if you're looking to get the most life out of your original engine parts.

01-22-2018, 01:24 PM	#1
weider1717 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: greenville sc Posts: 558	I don't want the heads resurfaced but machine shop recommends anytime they been ran? Cast heads and doing top end band aid for a couple years knowing later the rear freeze plugs etc will go as one on the drivers side has went which is my reason for not resurfacing and saving that meat for later when I rebuild. Machine shop guy said "i never saw heads that have been ran and didn't need resurfaced" should I insist on them being checked and only do it if they need it? I implied that but he was pretty set on resurfacing them so I just said "Ok" thoughts?

01-22-2018, 01:45 PM	#2
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,977	Re: I don't want the heads resurfaced but machine shop recommends anytime they been r Check em with a machinist straight edge and feeler gauges. If they don't need it then don't do it. If they guy won't listen take your business elsewhere. __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.

01-22-2018, 01:51 PM	#3
gmachinz Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Des Moines, IA. Posts: 4,143	Re: I don't want the heads resurfaced but machine shop recommends anytime they been r They are just covering their ass in case the re-install goes bad ie leaking coolant. Surfacing is pretty much a standard process whether they need it or not.

01-22-2018, 02:30 PM	#4
Dead Parrot Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 2,611	Re: I don't want the heads resurfaced but machine shop recommends anytime they been r How much are the charging for the resurface? How much is your time to install, pull if they leak, get them resurfaced, reinstall worth? OTOH, probably been many tens of thousands of heads pulled to install new valve seals and put back on without any further work that have been fine. If they are already at the shop for some machine work, probably better to have them do the resurface and get whatever backing they offer on their work.

01-22-2018, 03:59 PM	#5
1970pelle Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: N.E. Florida Posts: 500	Re: I don't want the heads resurfaced but machine shop recommends anytime they been r What year is the engine ? How many miles ? Has it been into before that you know of ? Looking at it through a tech's eyes your halfway there, why not have the decked and know your covered. Given today's head gaskets are far superior, than the ones used when the engine was first built. I would like the added security of a smooth surface. Ken __________________ 1985 IROC Z28 190HP TPI 305,700r4,T-tops,rear trac lock, Black on lite gray, 16in Z28 wheels 2007 Lexus ES350 (wifes) 1984 CJ7 with 1995 HO4.0L MPI, 2 1/2 OME YJ Lift “There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.” ― Ronald Reagan

01-22-2018, 06:03 PM	#7
LEEVON Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,888	Re: I don't want the heads resurfaced but machine shop recommends anytime they been r It's best practice. My machine shop charges like $50 or $60 for a check and deck on a pair. It's like $35 for a single 4 cylinder head. I mean stupid cheap for what they do. Well worth the peace of mind. With that said I've re-assembled small blocks without decking, no issues. Up to you man, but they're not trying to screw you, he's right they all "need" to be decked, it's a matter of how much. __________________ '20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids

01-22-2018, 11:30 PM	#8
weider1717 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: greenville sc Posts: 558	Re: I don't want the heads resurfaced but machine shop recommends anytime they been r Thanks for all the replies. truck is an 87 with 68k original miles never into until now. I don't mind the $ for resurfacing I am just very picky with my truck and since I am not doing a complete rebuild yet I just say "check the heads and if they're straight don't deck them" so I can maintain as much life as possible with the original engine parts because I will NOT ever sell this truck it will be my kids one day so I am just trying to preserve it best I can.

01-23-2018, 04:58 AM	#9
Nick_R_23 Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Willow, Alaska Posts: 881	Re: I don't want the heads resurfaced but machine shop recommends anytime they been r You might be getting confused on the work they are performing. "Decking" a head implies removing a larger amount of material, usually for the purpose of shrinking the combustion chamber and raising compression. It's also used to restore a severely warped head from improper torquing, or an overheat event. You usually will not need to deck a head unless it's for a specific reason. "(Re)surfacing" a head is removing a very minimal amount of material simply to remove any imperfections on the sealing surface, such as dings or scratches, low or high spots, or very minor warping. This is standard procedure when a head is removed to eliminate the possibility of there being any gasket sealing issues when the head is reinstalled. Definitely a good procedure to follow if you're looking to get the most life out of your original engine parts.



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