If you missed my last thread, here is the problem I am having. The past couple times I've driven somewhere, I get back and have to add probably half a gallon of coolant. I'm obviously burning coolant. There is a good puff of white smoke on startup. The smoke only blows from the right side exhaust tube. I tore it down and was hoping it was just a bad intake manifold seal. I ended up pulling the passenger side head because I found water dripping from the spark plug from the number 2 cylinder. I'm glad I pulled it because as you will see from the pics, that cylinder's intake valve was just barely hanging on. It is about level with the spring retainer, and a little more wear and it would have dropped. For some reason the bottom of that valve is flat and the others have a little divet in them. (see pic) Unfortunately, the past owner is the one who had it rebuilt, so I have no clue why the valves are mismatched. I noticed coolant inside the head on that cylinder, and the back of the intake valve was rusty. More than likely, it is a cracked head letting water into the intake valve, which is why my coolant wasn't overflowing, but was being sucked into the engine and burning.

So I guess here are my options:
-- Have the head tested, and repaired if it's even repairable
-- If the head is tested and unrepairable, try and locate an identical replacement. An internet search using the head's casting number of 3991492 came up with: 157cc Runner Volume, 64cc Combustion Chamber, 2.02" Intake, 1.60" Exhaust, with pushrod guideplates. I have no clue what that means for the performance of the head, so let me know if it's even worth finding a replacement head.
-- Kiss my wife's feet and try to convince her to let me get a set of aftermarkets. The problem with that is that this car was a basket case when I bought it and has been 9 months in the making. I've spent quite a bit of money getting it to where it is today. Asking for a new set of heads won't go over so well with her.

Here are the pics:

You can see the flat valve, compared to the others, which aren't


The number 2 cylinder has no carbon buildup because of the coolant leaking


Here is the part that really made me sweat. The intake valve is almost worn down past the spring retainer

 

Looks like someone replaced that valve, any signs of the valve hitting the piston? Probably could be repaired if damaged but that tends to cost almost as much a new set of heads. Might try e-bay or the parts for sale section of both C-3 and C-4, might find a set of used alum l98 vette heads fairly cheap.

 

That stem was probably not worn down, it was more likely a different length to start with, bubbas been at it again

 

I guess that would make sense. That's why there was no excessive wear indication on the rocker itself.

 

Unless you're worried about matching casting dates, etc. , a replacement head shouldn't be too difficult or expensive to obtain.