Cheap Head Job Turns into Expensive Head Job

[JonW]

You cant say anything conclusively until the head is cleaned up.
Initially it looks like you have 3 rich cylinders and one is ok.

Get your head cleaning by soda blasting and then show a pic. I reckon those highlighted marks are casting marks. Possibly some damage around the edge of the seats but hard to tell until it is clean.
If the seats are really bad, get them replaced. They are an insert.

[robracer]

Just about to say the same, but not soda.... hydro is gentler..... last soda job I had done left the surface pitted. was not happy at all.

[mike-s]

I have to agree, get it cleaned up, but my money would be on it may be a bit sketchy, especially as it certainly looks like there may be water damage, especially as inside the exhaust valve chamber looks like it was eaten through.

[gazza2008au]

do u think i could use a pressure washer to wash the head down than spray it with WD40?

[loubre]

Jon is correct, until that head is properly cleaned you cannot be sure as to the extent of the damage, some of the highlighted areas are definitely casting marks and the valve seats are press in inserts, Rob is spot on suggesting hydro over soda, soda cleaning can be a bit too aggressive at times but I do also agree that the corrosion/electrolysis damage in that one exhaust port chamber does look to be too bad for repair, could be a throw away job!

[robracer]

do u think i could use a pressure washer to wash the head down than spray it with WD40?

Wouldnt make a a dent in it..... gotta be done professionally

[mattyv74]

....do u think he under quote me $500 for a complete 16 valve job plus labour and everything else to do the job than realized it was going to cost a lot more?

My gut says spot on. I just got a pair of heads back (V8, so 16 valves same as a bike) and paid $800 cash for machine work only. I supplied all the parts. At the end of the day, a good machinest is invaluable. And nothing about good machining is ever cheap. The reallity is that almost anything is repairable. One my pairs of clevo clevo heads are worth over 3k bare, and yes we repair them. But, maybe cost ivloved meant it just isn't viable.

[gazza2008au]

i removed all valves and gave the head a wash with a pressure washer i cant seem to find any pitting just build up of crud i will post pictures tomorrow when the head dries off

[gazza2008au]

[born green]

MMM thats cheap!!! just jokin, maybe i got ripped off!!! i paid just over $5000 on a head back in 81!!!!! on a z1000 drag bike,

[JonW]

Go to supercrap and buy yourself a die grinder and some carbide burrs to clean up the ports. Or a selection of rotary wire brush wheels.
Practice on your lawnmower first.

[mike-s]

What's that hole on the right from? that looks like the hole that got my and others attention earlier.

[mike-s]

What's that hole on the right from? that looks like the hole that got my and others attention earlier.

[gazza2008au]

im not sure what those holes are there ports and there is one in each valve port

[JD01]

The holes are for the air injection for pollution.

I'm an engine reconditioner by trade and agree 100% with what others have said, get it cleaned properly. The shops that I have worked in would clean the head up before quoting. The die grinder with wire wheels was also a good idea, but take it easy. Steer clear of the little buffer discs everyone loves so much, if you don't know what you are doing you will dig holes in the alloy.