New Heads, need help

[stallings.sean]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 2570wt_941

what do you think?

NAPA will charge me 300 for both to go through my heads, that does not include putting new springs on it, new springs would be about an extra 40 total.
I think its worth it to get new heads for cheaper and see if I can pick them up to save on shipping. Didnt know if you guys see anything wrong with them or if there might be something missing that I would need in the description.
I know they dont include the rockers or rods but I can reuse the ones I have or get new ones for relatively cheap Im sure. If I got my heads redone they wouldnt replace those anyway.

Thanks for your input.

 

[stallings.sean]

I guess a good point to add is that the guy from NAPA who I would have redo the heads says that at 180 for a pair its a steal. He cant do much in the way of getting me 2 completely redone heads for that price.

 

[TURNA]

Well keep in mind you will be paying about 260 for those ebay heads with shipping.

So 300 for a set from a local shop with possibly some type of warranty may very well be worth it.

Is there a reason you are rebuilding them?

If that engine runs I would leave it alone and save up the money for a different engine.

 

[stallings.sean]

I can pick them up so I wont have to pay shipping.

I took the heads off originally because I thought I had a small leak in my head gasket, after taking the engine apart it looks like it was probably only the intake manifold gasket corner was starting to go. Either way, I thought it best to take it off and replace it. The car has been sitting for almost 7 years and the back piston looks different than the others so I figure there is probably a problem with the head, or at least that cylinder.

I can spend 180 on the heads or I can spend 300 to get the same work done on them that the guy selling them for 180 will do. The guy on ebay has good feedback and runs a business in cleveland so I figure he is probably pretty legit. I plan on getting a new engine eventually but I have some other things I need to get taken care of on the car first before I spend the money on that but I would at least like to drive the car sometime so I figured Id put the 260 back together.

Look at the pic and you can see why I was concerned about the last cylinder.

 

[TURNA]

Well if the guy selling them for 180 is local as well then go for it.

Definetly looks like water was getting into that cylinder.

 

[stallings.sean]

Well if the guy selling them for 180 is local as well then go for it.

Definetly looks like water was getting into that cylinder.

Yeah, I think Ill get them. I checked him out a little more and his website has a warranty for reman. heads (3 month warranty) so I feel pretty confident that they will be fine.
Thanks for the input.

 

[stallings.sean]

regarding head bolts, I know they come in 2 different sizes. Does anyone know what the order of the lengths are? I know there are 10 on each side but not exactly sure which ones are short and which ones are long. I am pretty sure I kept them in order but before putting new ones in I was hoping someone would know where the longs go and where the shorts go.

Also, I was thinking about putting Grade 8 bolts in rather than buying 2 head bolt sets from rock auto. They only sell one length and Id need to have 2 different lengths. Anyone use grade 8 bolts? How did it turn out?

Thanks

 

[454muscle]

regarding head bolts, I know they come in 2 different sizes. Does anyone know what the order of the lengths are? I know there are 10 on each side but not exactly sure which ones are short and which ones are long. I am pretty sure I kept them in order but before putting new ones in I was hoping someone would know where the longs go and where the shorts go.

Also, I was thinking about putting Grade 8 bolts in rather than buying 2 head bolt sets from rock auto. They only sell one length and Id need to have 2 different lengths. Anyone use grade 8 bolts? How did it turn out?

Thanks

It's a great deal if picking them up locally. Your Napa guy should know about the bolts... or even better, I suggest you get a set from the engine builder when you go pick up the heads from them. Not sure if you're aware but just in case...... you'll need a torque wrench and be sure to torque the bolts in the correct order when bolting 'em up.

 

[stallings.sean]

regarding head bolts, I know they come in 2 different sizes. Does anyone know what the order of the lengths are? I know there are 10 on each side but not exactly sure which ones are short and which ones are long. I am pretty sure I kept them in order but before putting new ones in I was hoping someone would know where the longs go and where the shorts go.

Also, I was thinking about putting Grade 8 bolts in rather than buying 2 head bolt sets from rock auto. They only sell one length and Id need to have 2 different lengths. Anyone use grade 8 bolts? How did it turn out?

Thanks

It's a great deal if picking them up locally. Your Napa guy should know about the bolts... or even better, I suggest you get a set from the engine builder when you go pick up the heads from them. Not sure if you're aware but just in case...... you'll need a torque wrench and be sure to torque the bolts in the correct order when bolting 'em up.

Thanks for the insight.
I found out the hard way about the correct torque specs for the head bolts. I was redoing a head gasket on a friends chevy truck with a 350 a few years ago. We didnt have the correct manual to give us the torque specs so we looked in a cadillac book with a similar size engine (I was a novice at the time) and the torque spec was about 150ft/lbs. our torque wrench didnt go that high so we guessed and wound up snapping the head bolt off and had a hell of a time getting those bolts out.

I have a diagram on the torque order so Ill follow that.

Thanks again.

 

[mickey-d]

You might want to put a little oil and rust penetrate in that last cylinder. It sure would suck to get it all back together and find out it's locked up.Also, on the different length bolts, they are really self explanatory, if you put them in the wrong hole, they will be too long, or too short. One medium length in each end by the oil return holes, really short ones on the bottom of the head, and the rest go in the holes that are left. Also, just curious if you've thought about valve adjustment. Do it before you put the intake manifold on. Make sure the lifters have oil in them, set the pushrods in the lifters and put the rocker arms on. On all the cylinders that the pushrods are COMPLETELY DOWN ON, tighten the rocker nut down until it's just snug, no play, then go a half turn tighter. Turn the engine over and get more of the lifters down, and adjust those rockers. keep doing it until all of them are adjusted. Don't forget to put some oil on the rocker balls for start-up. Hope this info helps.
.....................mickey-d :lol: