Thread: Buying a remanufactured head?

So I had bought a set of used L32 heads about a month ago. I then took them to a reputable machine shop for a flux, mild p&p, valve job, etc. a few days later the shop calls me and informs me that one of the heads is fine and the other is cracked internally. They recommend finding another head. Now, instead of looking for another used l32 head and hoping its not cracked, I am contemplating on buying a remanufactured head off rock auto. They sell a remanufactured head for a 98-2006 3800 supercharged casting number 4781 that comes already fluxed, new valves, dry shot, etc for $188 (plus $50 core). The thing that concerns me is the head is the same part number for both the L67 and L32, and I thought these heads originally differentiated from each other a bit. Should I go ahead and buy the remanufactured head? It looks like the same head from the pics on rock auto..

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=3754845&cc=1429691

IIRC, L32 heads had slightly larger valves..

Originally Posted by danomite02

you should probably just go turbo and leave the stock heads Chris LOL

Haha no way! Got too much time and $$ into this blower build to stop now!

I would have them perform a pressure check. I got a call from the machine shop telling me that the heads I brought them were cracked in between the valves. I had them do a pressure check, and that turned up ok. I put them on my 04, and I've got over 2k miles on them now without any issues.

Most 3800 heads will crack between the valve seats. I'm actually surprised that one head wasn't cracked.

Originally Posted by GTPpower

I would have them perform a pressure check. I got a call from the machine shop telling me that the heads I brought them were cracked in between the valves. I had them do a pressure check, and that turned up ok. I put them on my 04, and I've got over 2k miles on them now without any issues.

Most 3800 heads will crack between the valve seats. I'm actually surprised that one head wasn't cracked.

They did a pressure check and said that the head would not hold pressure. Then again they said it had no leaks as of now? They said the head could last 5 days or 5 years and they strongly recommended not doing the work to this head. Better safe than sorry IMO.

Wait...they said it wouldn't hold pressure? But also said there were no leaks?

Originally Posted by GTPpower

Wait...they said it wouldn't hold pressure? But also said there were no leaks?

I guess it didn't leak when they fluxed it, but then after an additional pressure test it didn't hold compression.

I could have misunderstood what they told me. After all, they called me at 8:30am the other day when I was still half asleep. Regardless, it's better to do it right and use a head that is not cracked.

keep in mind that metal expands when its hot which in turn will open the crack more, a cold pressure test may hold pressure but on the engine..............

188 is a small price to pay for a machined head with new valves. Just have your shop vacum check the valve job and measure guide clearence/deck straightness when its there for pnp just incase.

also if you get exhaust seats installed the head sould never get the crack between the valves as the seat insert can take a ass kickin

Originally Posted by Seachicken

keep in mind that metal expands when its hot which in turn will open the crack more, a cold pressure test may hold pressure but on the engine..............

188 is a small price to pay for a machined head with new valves. Just have your shop vacum check the valve job and measure guide clearence/deck straightness when its there for pnp just incase.

I am having them do a performance valve job on both the new head and "good" head, regardless of the new head having new valves. This way the valve job will be the same on both heads. They will also be installing new crow 105 springs along with Manley titanium retainers on both heads. They will also gasket match/polish the intake runners, polish the bowls, and do a mild p & p of the exhaust runners keeping a nice "D" shape to them. The cracked head will then go back to rock auto as a core. So yes, in a nutshell the entire job will end up costing me an additional $188. I am only paying around $450 for the machine shop work, so the total really isn't bad compared to the price of vendor heads.

Originally Posted by Maximum Gnarnage

OP- i bought a set of the rockauto heads to replace my l32 factory heads.They come from ATK-a reputable reman company. I compared all the valve sizes and they were identical. overall, i was impressed with the quality of the heads. you should be happy with them.

The one I bought is not ATK, it is called Famous Brand. I went the cheaper route, however a shop is redoing the valve job and valve train on the head so I feel the brand of reman is irrelevant.

If you haven't bought your TI retainers yet, I have a set of Manley's that I would sell for $100 shipped.

Originally Posted by GTPpower

If you haven't bought your TI retainers yet, I have a set of Manley's that I would sell for $100 shipped.

Already bought them from intense. Thanks though

Originally Posted by Maximum Gnarnage

OP- i bought a set of the rockauto heads to replace my l32 factory heads.They come from ATK-a reputable reman company. I compared all the valve sizes and they were identical. overall, i was impressed with the quality of the heads. you should be happy with them.

The head arrived yesterday and it is ATK, so not sure why it just said "Famous Brand" on rock auto's site. Anyhow like yourself, I am very pleased with the quality.