[CBUYS]

I am restoring a 72 malibu and having the heads done. A shop that was recommended to me quoted a price of $125 per head. This includes degreasing, squaring of the head, complete valve job. Is this price reasonable, this shop came highly recommended but this is a first for me? Also when reinstalling the heads should I use new head bolts? Thanks for your help.

 

[GaryR]

Cbuys,
Sounds high to me. Should be able to have both heads done for that price, unless they are using new valves or springs. If they are reusing your parts, just surface head and grind valves, it's high.
GaryR

 

[BillK]

Gary,
That actually sounds pretty good compared to our area. Any head from 1972,or as far as that goes, any small block head with more than about 60K miles, if it has never been worked on, is going to need valve guides. Figure in a few new valves, maybe springs, resurfacing and a good 3 angle valve job and you would be around $350 for the pair in my area. This does not include installing hardened exhaust seats, which should probably be done on 1972 heads. That adds another $100.
Small block Chevy's do not require new head bolts unless they are visibly damaged. Make sure and put a liquid type thread sealer on the threads as they go into the water jackets. We use Permatex "Indian Head" gasket shellac but teflon pipe "dope" will also work. Also make sure and put some motor oil on the underside of the bolt head where it contacts the cylinder head, this will give you a much more accurate torque reading. Fel Pro makes a real nice little booklet on installing gaskets. It is available for FREE and your parts store or machine shop should have them. If it is your first time, this book in invaluable. You may also want to ask the machine shop for thier recommendations. They should want to help you to make sure that you do a succesful repair. Looks good for them !
Hope this helps,

------------------
Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md

 

[Patrick Schamun]

"ALWAYS USE HEAD BOLT WASHERS" They keep the bolts from eating up the heads especially the lower row of bolts by the exhaust manifolds, these holes break out easy, and you get better torque readings.

 

[Kevin]

If they're going to do a 3-angle valve job (highly recommended) that's not a bad price. Don't worry about the hardened valve seats as all '71-up Chevys have them.

 

[dab67]

I wouldnt bet the farm on those 71 heads having hardened seats.

 

[malibukid]

You might want to double check for them hardened seats. Just had my 71 Malibu heads done.Had new hardened seats installed. Also new valves, guides seals and surfaced about $425.