CUTLASS 350 diesel head cracks

[84dragcutlass]

Got the news from the machine shop that the heads for my wife's 350 diesel are cracked in between each valve on both heads. I've heard rumors that this was common. Anyone with any experience, can you tell me if this is something I could get away with running or are these junk

 

[-dw-]

Never had the pleasure working a 5.7 diesel. I have done many head gaskets with heads cracked between the valves. Theres no water between the valves in those, never been a problem. I can not say for sure if its ok for the Olds greaseall.

 

[blk7gxn]

I have owned many of these, and yes, its a common issue. im sending along a link to a discussion about this subject, and I will post up here (copy and paste) what someone wrote thats pretty worthy. Good luck !

olds diesel heads question

there is some deposits around two of the exhaust valves and one of the prechambers that can be seen in the picture...im not quite sure what that is, hopefully not water scale...i dont know if the engine was overheated or had a blown head gasket before i got it...any help would be appreciated!!!

www.dieselplace.com

"Check for cracks on both heads but they are common to crack between the valves. I have reused those heads with cracks between the valve area and never had any issue.It would not hurt to have the cylinder head mating surface machined just a little.Maybe .005" or so which is'nt much.Check your block as well on the deck area.A removal of .005" there wouldn't be a bad idea either.Ive had both of my olds engines machined on the deck area.Having .004-.007 removed with no issue.You just need to use the .010 thicker victor reinz head gasket."

 

[84dragcutlass]

Thats an awesome write up thank you, I think ill risk it and have a valve job done on these and try and reuse them