head reconditioning

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 09 Jun 2006, 10:35

I'm getting a head reconditioned of unknown history, whats the plot do I just drop it in at a reconditioners and say "make it good" or is there a list of things that need to be done, crack testing, valves, guides, seats... what should I be looking at price wise for the works?

Post by **toomanytoys** » 09 Jun 2006, 10:47

Petrol? D? water or air cooled?

D/TD... dunno.. ask Mr Baxter..

WBX.. only need new guides if worn, gen VW valves are very good quality so normally just need the seats 3 angled and lapped in.. Crack testing is a good idea though.. as they can crack accross the seat area to the spark plug.
DONT "skim" the head though.. any pitts in the jacket seal area can be filled with chemical metal or similar..
Lap the barrels to the head with grinding paste before fitting the gaskets, but clean up properly!!

2L Aircooled.. replace seats, but make sure they make the interferance fit very good.. that was the problem with VW.. they didnt make them tight enough so whe the head got too hot the seat worked loose!! trust aircoold heads to a Aircooled specialist (LA performance etc)

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 09 Jun 2006, 12:31

sorry 2.1L WBX, I forget that there are other engines too.

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 09 Jun 2006, 12:35

Lap the barrels to the head with grinding paste

I was hoping to leave the barrels in situ.