Rebuilding my head, should I remove the valves?

Nacho-1990 · Jun 22, 2016

I'm rebuilding the head of my 1990 Renix (208k miles) I had a leaking head gasket. The local shop wants $80 to resurface it, and can vacuum test it if I leave all the valves and springs in.

I've never rebuilt an engine before, I was thinking of replacing all the valves and springs until I looked at the price. Should I just clean the head up and take it down as is or should I strip it down compleetly?

tjmotter · Jun 22, 2016

Nacho-1990 said:
I'm rebuilding the head of my 1990 Renix (208k miles) I had a leaking head gasket. The local shop wants $80 to resurface it, and can vacuum test it if I leave all the valves and springs in.

I've never rebuilt an engine before, I was thinking of replacing all the valves and springs until I looked at the price. Should I just clean the head up and take it down as is or should I strip it down compleetly?

Your valves and springs are most likely in good shape. I did a backyard rebuild on my '90 XJ head that had over 200K miles on it and found that the only worn parts were the valve seals.

teamarctic · Jun 23, 2016

Let them vacuum test it. That will tell you if you need new valves or not. Then you can decide if you want to do new springs.

old_man · Jun 23, 2016

At 208k I would have the valve guides sleeved with bronze inserts at a minimum. It runs about $7 a valve last time I had it done. You don't want to do a rebuild and end up having smoke due to loose guides.

Nacho-1990 · Jun 23, 2016

Thanks, I'm going to take it down to the shop today.

old_man · Jun 23, 2016

By the way, NEVER have valve guides knurled.

ThatGrimmJeeper · Jun 23, 2016

old_man said:
At 208k I would have the valve guides sleeved with bronze inserts at a minimum. It runs about $7 a valve last time I had it done. You don't want to do a rebuild and end up having smoke due to loose guides.

This. The shop can tell you if any valves need to be replaced.

Doing the guides is cheap insurance and they can throw in new seals while it's apart.

Ask them about doing a 3 angle valve job as well. It may not be too expensive and would give new life to the valves without having to completely replace them.

Rebuilding my head, should I remove the valves?

Nacho-1990

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