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L71 Head Issues

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Old Aug 14, 2015 | 05:50 PM
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Default L71 Head Issues

As part of my restoration, I wanted new crank seals on the engine. I let the engine guy talk me into taking the heads off (engine was running fine and had been rebuilt about 15 years and 1000 miles ago). He found one piston pretty much free of carbon and suspected the valve guide was leaking water. He then pressure check the heads and found both heads showing leakage around the exhaust valve seat on one end of heads (same valve on both heads).

At the time of the rebuild, I had inserts put in to avoid problems with non-leaded fuel. Maybe a bad decision.

The current engine guy has found a pair of correct heads (without inserts) that supposedly have been magnafluxed and pressure tested for $3000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wonder if putting new inserts in with some high temp sealant might solve the problem. That of course assumes a little water is a problem (I won't be driving car more than 500 miles a year when it's back together).

I'm looking at using:

http://http://www.northernautoparts.com/ProductDetail.cfm?ProductId=3569

Or

http://https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/0608689


Has anyone got a better idea other than spending another $3000?
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Old Aug 14, 2015 | 06:00 PM
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What does your engine builder suggest. My history with engine builders and going the cheap way out never works out to well. I am no head expert but why can't they be fixed without using the inserts?
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Old Aug 14, 2015 | 07:36 PM
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To put in hardened inserts for un-leaded gas, a machine cut was needed. Evidently, the water passage is close to the exhaust valve and the machine cut got too close to the water passage-------------thus the leak.
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Old Aug 14, 2015 | 08:08 PM
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Originally Posted by 427435
To put in hardened inserts for un-leaded gas, a machine cut was needed. Evidently, the water passage is close to the exhaust valve and the machine cut got too close to the water passage-------------thus the leak.
Which is why it has been posted here hundreds of times NOT to risk ruining perfectly good cylinder heads by having them machined for unnecessary installation of valve seat inserts.
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Old Aug 14, 2015 | 08:27 PM
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I have a set of 3904391 heads dated late 66 which is the head you should have on a 435hp car. I will sell mine for $2000.
Jim
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Old Aug 14, 2015 | 10:33 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnZ
Which is why it has been posted here hundreds of times NOT to risk ruining perfectly good cylinder heads by having them machined for unnecessary installation of valve seat inserts.

Unfortunately, 15 years ago, that wasn't common knowledge.
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Old Aug 14, 2015 | 10:35 PM
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Originally Posted by jrm5657
I have a set of 3904391 heads dated late 66 which is the head you should have on a 435hp car. I will sell mine for $2000.
Jim

Have they been magnafluxed and pressure tested?
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