Ok guys, I need some opinions. Today my head gasket finally gave out. Started blowing out smoke on the way to my final. Anyway, my dad and I got everything off, and I was wondering. While I have the heads off should I go ahead and do a port and polish job and get some better valve springs. I was planning on doing it when it was painted but now that this has happened I figure why not. I can get the port and polish, three angle valve job, and some good springs for around 350-400 complete. Is this a good price and do you guys think since I already have everything apart if I should go ahead and do the suff. Thanks in advance for all the help.

ryan

Ryan,

You may want to get the heads checked for straightness, as that may be a factor when a head gasket goes. On whether to get the polish and porting work done, that all depends, what engine, heads, cam (lift, druation, overlap, etc), compression, rpm, etc do you have. Plus how many miles are on the engine?
Bottom line is, if you have it appart, without questions get the valve job done. The other work may or may not be of any real performance help.

Fred.

Fred,

Thanks for the response. The engine is a 327 with a mild cam, it has been rebuilt within the last 4 years or so. Its a great little engine. I have an hei an aftermarket holley intake and a 600 edelbrock carb. I went ahead and bought some decent headers for it. It runs really good i drive it everyday and school is about and hour away. It runs about 15.5 in the quarter and thats after it finally catches the ground after spinning for a god second. I shift around 5200-5300 rpm when i am running it and it never misses a beat. Its got 3.31 int he rear and its a four speed car. Hope this helps with any recomendations you might have. Thanks again.

Ryan

p.s.
The CR is around 9.5 to 10.0

What are the heads?

Unless you drive a LOT of miles that head gasket should have lasted more than 4 years. When they go out there is a chance of it warping from the heat so do as Fred said and make sure it's straight and the block mating surface is nice and smooth. Also, make sure to use a quality gasket and torque to specs. Things like preignition, detonation and overheating for other reasons can cause premature headgasket problems so you'll want to make sure there's nothing else wrong that caused the problem. Then some kinds of gaskets require re-torquing a 2nd or even 3rd time after a specified break-in period.

Please post the head numbers so we can tell you if they are worth messing with??

The last three numbers like "462" or "132", etc...

pdq67

Hi Ryan,

Bisjoe has some good advice, I would take him up on it. On the polish and porting, I really don't think I would consider it in your case. At the rpm and the cubes you have, it really won't give you much of an increase. Plus at 5300 and a mild cam, all you really need is good stock springs, which I expect at 4 yrs old, they are still fine. As long as your having your valve guides checked, most likely a mild clean mill, the three angle valve job is always a good idea. Make sure they check your springs out, plus the install height. On the polish and porting, I would save your money for your next rebuild or your next engine.
I still have a 69 327 in the garage, they are a great engine, but need gears in a Chevelle. I'll bet you get great gas mileage, wish I did.

Fred.

I used to have a 327 out of a camaro in my chevelle. This little motor rocked. With 3.55 gears and a 2400 stall converter, mystery cam, and a very similar setup to yours otherwise i was able to get it down to a 13.9 as in my sig! I agree that you should check into what made this happen to prevent further problems down the road, but i agree, i think with your combo a ton of work is unnecessary. Check it, put it back together, and run it!

Daniel

Hey guys thanks for all the information. The heads are camel hump with 1.94 and whatever stock exhaust is. I am thinking about putting it back together with some good gaskets and running it like that for about 2 maybe 3 months, sijnce I have absolutely no money and I need it to drive. I am hoping it will be all alright for this short time, so I guess if I go this route I will not have to out to much stress on it like racing it. So what do u guys think. Will I be able to "live" with it for a couple of months I know I am going to have to tear it back down but like I said I am in major need of a car.


Ryan

Do it!!

Double-humps are fine..

pdq67