Who has a head they want to sell?


#1

I think I’m going to refresh the head on my car. Who has a head, or has seen one available lately? Ideally you’d be able to bring it to RA in Dec.

I see that Alex Molitor is selling one that has already been rebuilt for $650. That seems like a lot. No?


#2

Depends on how complete of a rebuild it is. Some of those replacement parts can add up quickly if you do a true rebuild.


#3

I had a head rebuilt (cleaned, new valve seals, cut seats) last year for $250. It did not include any new valves or rockers.
Ed


#4

Check to see if that head has new rockers/valves. If it does, that sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

I’ve got an entire motor, but don’t really want to separate.


#5

I got a head, complete but you will have to install your cam of choice…

$175

Al

Ditto on what Skeen said, if Alex’s head has new parts (rockers, shafts, springs) tha is a deal


#6

I’m going to do a dyno and leakdown test here in town Thur. The dyno is to test some parts before doing the BP reference dyno on 4Dec. If the leakdown shows problems the I’ll get a head. If the leakdown is ambiguous I’ll wait until the BP dyno effort before deciding.

This past year my skills were weak enough that a couple hp were no big deal. But as I start to suck less, I’d just as soon ensure that my >170k motor is at least average.

Kinda a bummer that $650 is reasonable for Alex’s head. It is indeed complete with rockers, valves and springs.


#7

The question is not whether it’s complete or not, but whether those parts are NEW.


#8

$650 sounds high compared to the engine (~80k), transmission (~60k), and wiring harness I got from Vines for $1000…


#9

Not really consideirng each of the items you just listed were used, whereas this head has been rebuilt.

the only real question is to what level was the head rebuilt.


#10

So help me understand the idea of “to what level” when the head has to remain within our rules. What kind of guidance can you give the machine shop such that you end up with a really good head, yet the head remains entirely within the rules.


#11

The head has to be to factory specs per the regs. I don’t know if there is much you can do legally.

I would get an old head from somewhere and find the best shop in Savannah you can. Call around and get some referrals. They should measure all parts and make sure they are within factory specs and replace those that are not. I got a 4 cylinder head redone recently and had to replace two exhaust valves and all the seals. It was about $200. It was not a BMW, so it may not even be a good comparison.

Alex did a head for Damion. Send him a PM and ask him about the quality.

Edit: Did a quick price check on Pelican Parts. New valves, guides, and seals will run about $300 just for parts. Add springs and thats another $250, plus shipping. $650 for Alex’s head is a good deal when you figure labor. Plus you don’t have to run all over Savannah finding machine shops.

John


#12

Again, it is only a good deal if Alex’s head has all of those new parts. A rebuild does not have to include new springs, vales, etc. They could use the existing if they do not show any signs of deformation.
However, if his rebuilt head has all of these pieces then buy it asap.


#13

I think new rockers would be the most important part(s) to replace. Haven’t really seen anything else in these heads break.


#14

Rule book 9.3.1.2.7and .8. Specifically .8, no porting or polishing.

Rebuild guidelines can be found in an inexpensive Bently book. Although I have been reminded that the Bently is not the factory service manual.

Resist the temptation to remove/deck the head too much or the valves will hit the pistons at high rpm. Trust me, the whopping extra compression that you might get from the shorter deck doesn’t do diddly at the dyno. And you really don’t want too much power as it is. Thankfully the stock ECU provides lots of limits with its inherent fuel and timing maps.

Regards, Robert Patton


#15

The last head I had done…on my whopping 128.5hp motor needed cam, rockers, one rocker shaft, guides, springs and a valve or 2…by the time I was done it was $1200.

Al


#16

As a habitual head cooker, I have had the dubious pleasure of purchasing replacements recently. I bought remanufactured heads from Cylinder Heads International www.headsonly.com. Heads of Clearwater is another source. The price is $500.00 if you return a core. The units are nice and clean and the web sites describe the process/product. I assume they reprocess these in a sweat shop somewhere. Unfortunately, I have not done an extended life test on these yet, but I plan to do so over the next few years. :wink: