Good head????

[9125lebaron]

Do u think my head and valves still look to be in good shape?

[Jack's Dodge]

Looks pretty good from here.

[9125lebaron]

do the valves still look good?

[Buckracer]

She looks good, just a little golded out. you ought to spray wash it and clean her up nice.

[NAJ]

If you did not have a headgasket issue running a cylinder leakdown test prior to head removal would have verified any valve/valve guide/cracked head issues.
They make a "straight edge" specificaly for checking head flatness, no more than .004 variance.
I would definatly replace the valve seals while it is off the vehicle.

[Jack's Dodge]

Would soaking in denatured alcohol clean it up? Was just wondering would work like using gasoline.

[NAJ]

I think we just used brake cleaner and air when my head was off.
We did not use anything abrasive or really harsh.
When I did my 72 Duster I removed all of the valves, cleaned all deposits from the combustion chambers with a wire wheel, cleaned all the deposits from the valve stem/face with a wire wheel, cleaned the head in a safty clean tank, relapped all the valves, replaced a couple of burnt exhaust vavles and put it back together but......
That was a carburated car with a cast iron head, completly different.
I did the Duster bcause I was using a qt of oil every 200 hundred miles due to valve seal issues, after I did not lose a qt in a year.

[turbospirit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack's Dodge Would soaking in denatured alcohol clean it up? Was just wondering would work like using gasoline.

Kerosene or diesel.

[puppet]

You need to look at the valves out of the head to determine if they are in good shape or not. The seat angles will show valve wear and if they are good enough to reuse. If the valves are pounded out, this is were you'll need to look.

[c2xejk]

So what is the story behind the head being off the engine? That would help us know what issues we should be looking for and advise you on what should be done.

As a general rule of thumb, when I R&R aluminum heads, I have them milled and pressure checked. A decent machine shop can often get this done same or next day.