Reman Head, Machined Or Just The Gasket??

[ParadiseMJ]

Going to be replacing my head gasket this week. 

 

Any insight on which way I should go?

 

Just pull the head and if it's not cracked, warped or valves look funky should I :

 

Just plop the old head back on?  Send it to a machine shop ? Replace the head with a re-man ? 

 

What's the typical cost to have the head machined/magnafluxed only...since I've never had to do a head.

[Geonovast]

That all depends on why you're replacing the gasket.

[HOrnbrod]

Around here it's $30-$50 to shave the head and about $150 for a valve job. Since you're doing this because of overheating, for sure I'd shave the head. If high miles, have the shop check the valves carefully and you may or may not want to the valve job too depending on condition.

[92tanMJ]

Around here it's $30-$50 to shave the head and about $150 for a valve job. Since you're doing this because of overheating, for sure I'd shave the head. If high miles, have the shop check the valves carefully and you may or may not want to the valve job too depending on condition.

:agree:  IMO I would go with a valve job and a shaving..which is what I did for my 92 with 180xxx. Runs great now beside a dang noisy lifter and I know exactly which one it is...bottom line is if it looks sketch replace it. lol :soap box:

[ParadiseMJ]

A bit of an update. replacing the headgasket.  It was ALOT easier than I had been dreading.  I just had to go slow, and tag & bag everything.  So far no broken bolts or anything like that.

 

Inside the valve cover was - pristine...very clean, shiny in fact

Rocker arms, other hardware - same - shiny clean

Push rods - same - I used the old pool cue method - rolling each on flat surface, none bent.

Pulled the spark plugs - all look great EXCEPT for #6...it was wet, with coolant.

Pulled the manifolds, ports also pristine clean...except #6

Pulled the head.  A bit of carbon on the piston tops, all about the same color.  The gasket "looks" pretty good...except #6 cylinder had about 1/4" of coolant in it.  Re-inspected the gasket.  There is a very small breach (it's not broken) in the #6 to coolant gallery...we're talking 1/16".

 

Another interesting find was that the t-stat housing neck, the large one, was pitted, pretty much all the way around...something I had missed before...it had never leaked, just interesting enough for me to buy a new housing.