cash for clunkers cylinder heads ???

[69heavychevy]

I went to one of the local u pull its and came across about 20-25 pairs of vortec heads on trucks that had been clunkered. I was wondering if the liquid glass they use to destroy the bottom end also damages the heads?? I know your not allowed to pull them from clunkers but i dont usually follow rules anyways. For $30 a head, if they're salvageable sounds like a good deal to me...

[oldblue1968chevy]

idk good question free bump!

[stueber68]

*political comments removed by forum staff*
I doubt that the heads are absolutly ruined though. What I did was just buy the core motors that would be returned to dealers since it is only 100 bucks.

[Longhorn Man]

guys, keep politics out, this includes comments that indicate what you feel on the politics of this program.

From what I understand on the vortec heads, the multi angle cut on the valves and the seats are very hard to duplicate. If you think they'll need rebuilt, it is most likely cheaper to get new ones than to pay the labor for repair, and hope they get it right.

[68C15]

last fall I was at the yard and saw about 30 of these trucks. I pulled valve covers off to inspect the damage. on the 4 that I checked out the rockers still had slippery oil and no signs of damage. I say go for it. I have 2 sets of them for if or when I do the swap to injection. but here is the interesting part. I talked extensively to a local engine builder/machine shop. he said the vortecs do not flow any better or make more power than the '92 TBI heads I already have installed.

[hatchaddict]

the cylinder heads will be fine, just go through them and check the guides but they have iron guides and for the time it takes for fresh oil to get to the valve stem and into the guide im sure there not even touched cause theses engine would only run for about 20-30 sec before locking up. i work for a gm dealer and had to blow the clunkers up that whole program was a crying shame

[69heavychevy]

thanks for the info guys, looks like i have a new trip scheduled to the salvage yard lol...and now i have an excuse to buy a new intake manifold too lol!

[68custom396]

I know the salvage yards around the corner from my shop have been selling the vortec heads off all the engines that have come in from that program

[95light]

Originally Posted by 68C15

I talked extensively to a local engine builder/machine shop. he said the vortecs do not flow any better or make more power than the '92 TBI heads I already have installed.

Do just a little research online and you'll realize how false that statement is.

[Jim_PA]

Originally Posted by 95light

Do just a little research online and you'll release how false that statement is.

^^ What he said

[BluTrukker]

So the bearings and probably the cam and crank are toast in these motors. The blocks and heads should still be good to use right? Even if they need a little freshening up?

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by BluTrukker

So the bearings and probably the cam and crank are toast in these motors. The blocks and heads should still be good to use right? Even if they need a little freshening up?

Yep the bottom end is toast. That was the concept of putting the liquid glass in them. I'd be getting after those heads and anything else I wanted off those trucks as the junk yards supposedly only have X# of days to keep them in the yards before they crush them.

I also am pretty well positive that the block is the one thing off the cars that cannot be resold or reused.

I'd be checking with my favorite machine shop though because as Longhorn Man mentioned the cost of a full rebuild at a top quality machine shop can be close to the cost of a pair of new heads from some dealers and vendors.

A good place to price shop is http://www.sallee-chevrolet.com/Cyli...ads/Vortec.cfm Actually Gilbert Chevrolet in Milton-Freewater Oregon. I see online in a few places that the "street price of new 12558060 Vortecs is 325.95 ea in most places now.

[D-Rat]

I'd only do it if you plan on doing a full rebuild on them and you get them dirt cheap.

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by 68custom396

I know the salvage yards around the corner from my shop have been selling the vortec heads off all the engines that have come in from that program

Same here. The heads are all gone before they hit the pull it yourself yard.

[hatchaddict]

i wouldnt use one of those blocks cause the liquid glass stuff is gonna be all through the oil gallies and will be impossible to get out and the bottom ends are wasted that crap like welds the bearing to the cranks. the only thing i would use from clunker engine is the heads