The machine shop called me back today to tell me that I need need 4 valves, 12 guides, 24 seals and 2 seats.

His labor is going to be around $700 alone, the parts are little under $150 and to weld the two cracks will be another $150. This freakin' sucks! :(

I am basically looking at around $1000.

Should I grab my crap back and buy this and swap my cams?
VAC - S50 / S52 (US) Reconditioned Cylinder Head $900
http://store.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=vacmotors&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=731502711&Count2=648643136

I really don't know what to do.

how large are the cracks?

i would say just get a new head and have it machined...

how large are the cracks?

i would say just get a new head and have it machined...

I don't know. He said they weren't leaking, just cracked.

Forget about the VAC heads, I just read they are hit or miss. Don't want to chance that.

Search for another used one?

Search for another used one?

That is what I am thinking, but what if the used one has issues to?

I wouldn't get a vac head. For almost the same price you can just have a machine shop do the same job vac will do. Like I said before if you need a good core, Ill sell you mine. If you are really tight on money try to pick up a used head with updated retainers and possibly a valve job or lower miles. I saw one for likr 450 dollars that I was thinking about buying in the for sale section.

That is a fair amount of work to do on your head -- seats, valves, cracks. I'd be inclined to find another head (save your trays). A good used one might cost $500 and I recall finding reconditioned heads for around $900 before, meaning good guides, valves, seats, no cracks, pressure checked, cleaned, decked, etc. Why spend $1100 if you can find one for less? If . . .

I wouldn't get a vac head. For almost the same price you can just have a machine shop do the same job vac will do. Like I said before if you need a good core, Ill sell you mine. If you are really tight on money try to pick up a used head with updated retainers and possibly a valve job or lower miles. I saw one for likr 450 dollars that I was thinking about buying in the for sale section.

What head did you send out to the machine shop?

Does $700 sound a lot for just labor?? Plus $150 to the welder?

That is a fair amount of work to do on your head -- seats, valves, cracks. I'd be inclined to find another head (save your trays). A good used one might cost $500 and I recall finding reconditioned heads for around $900 before, meaning good guides, valves, seats, no cracks, pressure checked, cleaned, decked, etc. Why spend $1100 if you can find one for less? If . . .

I guess you're right. I was just caught off guard with everything. Also, with everything going on with the head, it's not even warped!!! :rolleyes

Either way, the wife is going to kill me. :D

Either way, the wife is going to kill me. :D

Just tell her good head is $$$.

Just tell her good head is $$$.

:D :D

A little good news, the $700 labor he quoted included the welding. I saw the crack today, it is between the valves in cylinder 5.

Just tell her good head is $$$.
This thread finally delivers. I was starting to get worried.