87 heads
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,832
Likes: 336
From: Database Error Indiana
Replace the seals. I have an 87 that was smoking on start up at 35000 miles. At 85000 I replaced the seals and put the heads on another car. That was over a year ago and still no problem. Its pretty easy to do and if the seals dont last you can always replace the heads later. 
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by Jim D
I need valve seals , buy I'm told the guides are probably worn, and should get new heads. I want a reasonably priced stock head. Any recommendations, thanks Jim.
would be a nice bolt on stock wise.If you want performance heads and a cam change,AFR and other aftermarket heads flow nicely.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
heads
I got a set of 89 D port heads for $250 at a wrecking yard. they let me pull them, and I got all the hardware that went with them. put em on my pickup, ran them for 3 years, had the guides checked, and they were a little worn, but serviceable, and they are on my 383 TPI.
I did change the exhaust valves because the valves are cheap from the factory. new ones are $76 a set of swirl polished.
I had .070 machined from the gasket surface to ensure they were flat to the block because they are aluminum, and head bolt torque is critical on aluminum heads.
Guides aren't much to install by a machine shop. um, $8 each installed I think, but the cost is when you take the head all the way apart like that, nobody will guarantee anything unless someone does a valve job, laps the valves, and installs new keepers
keepers are like $20 from summit racing. I think Checker (CSK) can rent you a valve spring compressor if you want to do the assembly and disassembly to save money.
I did change the exhaust valves because the valves are cheap from the factory. new ones are $76 a set of swirl polished.
I had .070 machined from the gasket surface to ensure they were flat to the block because they are aluminum, and head bolt torque is critical on aluminum heads.
Guides aren't much to install by a machine shop. um, $8 each installed I think, but the cost is when you take the head all the way apart like that, nobody will guarantee anything unless someone does a valve job, laps the valves, and installs new keepers
keepers are like $20 from summit racing. I think Checker (CSK) can rent you a valve spring compressor if you want to do the assembly and disassembly to save money.
