Taz1

Hey guys I'm new to the forum. I been lurking forever but now I can finally buy a c6 zo6. So I found a very nice 08 with about 18k on it. I asked about the heads and valves everyone has been talking about. The dealer said there was one new head and valves on one side done. He Said the other side was perfect. What is your opinion about this. Is it bad just one side has been done? Thanks and love the site!!!!

Burress06

Doesn't sound good to me....

MTPZ06

Certainly plausible, but I don't trust the OE heads regardless anymore. The OE PM guide material is really soft (too soft), guide to seat concentricity is hit or miss. I had mine redone by AHP under my GMPP warranty right before it expired. I had their proprietary MoldStar90 guides installed...best guide material available, hands down.

If the car is what you want, and the price is right...jump on it. Just plan on inspecting/keeping an eye on your guide wear, or possibly having to send the heads out. Really not a big deal at all...

LMB-Z

If this is the same dealer who told you the 08 Z06 didn't have removable tops, I would run. He has no clue what he's talking about, and probably lying about the heads. Why would anyone or any reputable shop just do one side....they wouldn't.

Taz1

No it was a sales guy that said about the removable top. Cause the guy I'm dealing with left for the day. And when I asked y did they do one side he said. Because the other one was fine and in spec. Hmmmm this sucks I wanted this z06. But not if its trouble

REDZED2

Like MTPZ06 said. If it's what you want and price. BUY IT! Listen to the valve train for loud ticking. Cheapest check is to remove the rockers and try to physically move the spring and valve. If you can see the valve tip wiggle ( I put a dot with a sharpie on the valve tips to see movement) makes it easier, then even slight valve tip movement means the guide is toast! I had 12 wiggle on mine. Intake and exhaust. 8 or 9 were so loose I couldn't believe it. Only 12K miles at the head swap. Good luck whatever you decide.

Taz1

So can you put new valve guides in? What is the best fix for long term and just a stock weekend driver? Thanks guys for being so helpful

MTPZ06

Short answer, yes. But a performance valve job should be done by a shop that does tons of these heads. Guides, and a concentric guide to seat rebuild is most crucial.

Contact these guys:
American Heritage Performance
http://www.americanheritageperformance.com/Contact.html
(310) 326-2399

Read through their DIY thread on how to check..."wiggle test" -> https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-test-diy.html

If you're handy, here's the DIY head swap thread -> https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-headswap.html

REDZED2

Yep if you are capable that way like MTPZ06 said you can do your own. I did mine but with between my job hours and a bad back/ few little issues here and there, it turned in to a 6 week project.

Although if I did it again, I could polish it off in 3 days. Follow his links!

rockinSeat

If the heads were fixed under warranty and only one side was bad, the warranty company will only replace the bad side. So your salesman could likely have been telling the truth which is refreshing.

bd4airman11

If you are going to put out the cash it takes to have a Z06...The heads are just the tax.........

dmuellenberg

Confused - the 08 Z06 doesn't have a removable top (at least factory) - so he would be correct.

LMB-Z

True, but neither did any other year.

REDZED2

Maybe the dealer also said that the 08's were the only C6 Z06's to have hideaway headlights too!

American Heritage

We had a z06 come to us a while back with just one of the heads "reworked". Whom ever "reworked" the head used gray aluminum colored spray paint on the head to make it look like new (it did not look like new). Needless to say we truly made both heads better than new (turned them into our Package 4 Heads).
I could not see any reputable shop doing just one head (or spray painting an aluminum head).

If possible get a pre purchase inspection done by an independent and reputable shop (preferably a Vette specialty shop)

http://www.americanheritageperformance.com/

dmuellenberg

Still don't see how that makes the dealer clueless. Just because he specifically mentioned an 08 doesn't mean he thinks other years have a removable top. You are making a huge assumption and you know what they say about assuming something.

dmuellenberg

Now that would be reason to run.