Head work cost?
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Performance Unlimited is a race shop in Norfolk Virginia that appears to be cheaper than anyone else.. fair prices,, you can give them a call or just get a verbal comparison... I have usexd them in the past and was very happy with their work... I always call around to keep em honest
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
What are they charging you for each proceedure? From that I may be able to give you ab idea. Sometime if the shop you are going to advertises predominantly speed work, the prices tend to be a little higher. There isn't much you are having done that any shop can't do, and most do well.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 261
Likes: 1
From: frederick maryland
dont know if uve talked to either of these places, but the guy in this ad is just east of Mt Airy. his prices for some other work sounded reasonable when i talked w him
http://frederick.craigslist.org/pts/2661070311.html
i usually use
http://gunthersmachine.com/
they quoted me from 325 to 650 to rebuild a set of BB heads depending on what exactly they needed. i havent had it done yet. i have had them turn rotors, flywheels and other machine work on my vette, other cars and farm equipment and their prices have been very good, and the turn times quick
i drive by ur place now and then in my vette, if i see u in the garage mind if i drop in? love to see ur new project
cyas
http://frederick.craigslist.org/pts/2661070311.html
i usually use
http://gunthersmachine.com/
they quoted me from 325 to 650 to rebuild a set of BB heads depending on what exactly they needed. i havent had it done yet. i have had them turn rotors, flywheels and other machine work on my vette, other cars and farm equipment and their prices have been very good, and the turn times quick
i drive by ur place now and then in my vette, if i see u in the garage mind if i drop in? love to see ur new project
cyas
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
dont know if uve talked to either of these places, but the guy in this ad is just east of Mt Airy. his prices for some other work sounded reasonable when i talked w him
http://frederick.craigslist.org/pts/2661070311.html
i usually use
http://gunthersmachine.com/
they quoted me from 325 to 650 to rebuild a set of BB heads depending on what exactly they needed. i havent had it done yet. i have had them turn rotors, flywheels and other machine work on my vette, other cars and farm equipment and their prices have been very good, and the turn times quick
i drive by ur place now and then in my vette, if i see u in the garage mind if i drop in? love to see ur new project
cyas
http://frederick.craigslist.org/pts/2661070311.html
i usually use
http://gunthersmachine.com/
they quoted me from 325 to 650 to rebuild a set of BB heads depending on what exactly they needed. i havent had it done yet. i have had them turn rotors, flywheels and other machine work on my vette, other cars and farm equipment and their prices have been very good, and the turn times quick
i drive by ur place now and then in my vette, if i see u in the garage mind if i drop in? love to see ur new project
cyas
You are quite welcome to stop in anytime.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
dont know if uve talked to either of these places, but the guy in this ad is just east of Mt Airy. his prices for some other work sounded reasonable when i talked w him
http://frederick.craigslist.org/pts/2661070311.html
i usually use
http://gunthersmachine.com/
they quoted me from 325 to 650 to rebuild a set of BB heads depending on what exactly they needed. i havent had it done yet. i have had them turn rotors, flywheels and other machine work on my vette, other cars and farm equipment and their prices have been very good, and the turn times quick
i drive by ur place now and then in my vette, if i see u in the garage mind if i drop in? love to see ur new project
cyas
http://frederick.craigslist.org/pts/2661070311.html
i usually use
http://gunthersmachine.com/
they quoted me from 325 to 650 to rebuild a set of BB heads depending on what exactly they needed. i havent had it done yet. i have had them turn rotors, flywheels and other machine work on my vette, other cars and farm equipment and their prices have been very good, and the turn times quick
i drive by ur place now and then in my vette, if i see u in the garage mind if i drop in? love to see ur new project
cyas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
I said screw it and bought a ZZ4. 
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 4
From: Springfield VA
I don't want to go aftermarket, and I have already been ripped off on Ebay with the set of heads I have. I want to keep the look of the engine original, etc.
When I bought my 70 350/350, it did not have the original heads. I looked around on Ebay until I found a set of corrrectly dated heads that were the large valve 350hp heads, so the seller said. When they arrived, it turned out they were the correct date and casting numbers, but they were 300hp heads with the small valves and pressed in rocker studs. Shipping cost was expensive since they are so large and heavy. So, I decided to try and make them work, even though they are the small valve heads. The machine shop I took the heads to refused to open them up to 2.02/1.60, saying there was not enough material in the head to do so. That is where I am right now.
When I bought my 70 350/350, it did not have the original heads. I looked around on Ebay until I found a set of corrrectly dated heads that were the large valve 350hp heads, so the seller said. When they arrived, it turned out they were the correct date and casting numbers, but they were 300hp heads with the small valves and pressed in rocker studs. Shipping cost was expensive since they are so large and heavy. So, I decided to try and make them work, even though they are the small valve heads. The machine shop I took the heads to refused to open them up to 2.02/1.60, saying there was not enough material in the head to do so. That is where I am right now.
If you want to keep I would not in increase the intake valve size. A large valve does not = power. In fact depedning on the design it could hurt. Going to a 1.6 exhust might be ok since it will not cover up to much area from opening and could breath better. But even then the money spent toward that could beef up your exhust and probably go farther.
I would do a light port/blend and then polish the runners in the head and get a good valve job. Any other gains would cost more than they are worth for a factory set like those IMO.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
I don't want to go aftermarket, and I have already been ripped off on Ebay with the set of heads I have. I want to keep the look of the engine original, etc.
When I bought my 70 350/350, it did not have the original heads. I looked around on Ebay until I found a set of corrrectly dated heads that were the large valve 350hp heads, so the seller said. When they arrived, it turned out they were the correct date and casting numbers, but they were 300hp heads with the small valves and pressed in rocker studs. Shipping cost was expensive since they are so large and heavy. So, I decided to try and make them work, even though they are the small valve heads. The machine shop I took the heads to refused to open them up to 2.02/1.60, saying there was not enough material in the head to do so. That is where I am right now.
When I bought my 70 350/350, it did not have the original heads. I looked around on Ebay until I found a set of corrrectly dated heads that were the large valve 350hp heads, so the seller said. When they arrived, it turned out they were the correct date and casting numbers, but they were 300hp heads with the small valves and pressed in rocker studs. Shipping cost was expensive since they are so large and heavy. So, I decided to try and make them work, even though they are the small valve heads. The machine shop I took the heads to refused to open them up to 2.02/1.60, saying there was not enough material in the head to do so. That is where I am right now.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
So here is the latest quote I recently got for the head work I need.
Bore and install New Guides 16
Bore and install New exhaust seats 8
Magnaflux and resurface both heads
Open up valves to 2.02/1.60
Complete valve job
Stainless steel valves
Valve seals
Does not include cost of springs
$800
Bore and install New Guides 16
Bore and install New exhaust seats 8
Magnaflux and resurface both heads
Open up valves to 2.02/1.60
Complete valve job
Stainless steel valves
Valve seals
Does not include cost of springs
$800
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,018
Likes: 2,261
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
This is why aftermarket heads are so attractive. All new stuff and high production makes it possible.
These folks aren't ripping you off...good machine work is expensive. The list of procedures above takes a pretty good bit of time to accomplish and several different machines (depending on what they have in their shop).
Figure in the cost of the parts, and it is what it is.
And we haven't done one thing yet to really increase performance...just made a good set of stock heads. And hope they don't crack later!
JIM
These folks aren't ripping you off...good machine work is expensive. The list of procedures above takes a pretty good bit of time to accomplish and several different machines (depending on what they have in their shop).
Figure in the cost of the parts, and it is what it is.
And we haven't done one thing yet to really increase performance...just made a good set of stock heads. And hope they don't crack later!
JIM
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Take a look at the vortec heads, castings 906 and 062 I have under $400.00 into mine and that includes cost of heads (craigslist $100.00) valve job, cutting valve guides for up to .550 lift cam and assembling all done by a local engine shop, the 64cc heads compared to my original 1974 76cc heads made a big diff. do a search on these heads, there are many dyno results from various packages using these heads that make good hp cheap.....Fred
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
Any disadvantage in going from 1.94/1.50 to 2.02/1.60? Will this weaken the head or make it prone to cracking, etc.? Any advantage or disadvantage in having the guides replaced as opposed to having bronze sleeves installed?
