Professional opinion on cylinder heads?

sb001 · Last edited by sb001 on Fri May 22, 2015 4:06 pm; edited 3 times in total

Hi all-

I don't usually post in this forum, but I need the opinion/ suggestions of you professionals on here! Smile

I am in the middle of a 1600 SP engine rebuild (with help from a fellow samba member) and the other day I came across a CL ad for a pair of 1600 SP heads, off a running engine, along with some other stuff (H30/31 carb, intake manifold, thermostat...) all for $80. Seemed like a great deal, so I met with the seller yesterday and looked over the heads, they looked to be in generally good condition (no cracks or anything, just some pretty good carbon buildup in the combustion chambers) so I ended up buying them along with all the other stuff.

While cleaning the heads up this afternoon I noticed that the combustion chambers on one of the heads appears to have suffered a bit of surface damage-- it looks like something got in there and gouged some of the surface area--perhaps the accelerator pump nozzle on the carb came loose and got sucked in there (which would explain why the carb doesn't have that nozzle!)

I am posting photos of the heads here to ask for opinions on overall condition of the heads (OK to run them as is?) and more specifically the gouged surface damage in the aforementioned CCs. (Last two photos)

Thank you in advance to all

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

CCs in question:

scotth17 · Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 3:57 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't worry about that much at all...

LivinInnaVWBus · Samba Member Joined: October 07, 2013 Posts: 968

If it were my engine, I'd run em.
I am curious though, if you're rebuilding the engine, why skimp out on heads with used guides? If I take the heads off of any engine for any reason, you'll seldom find me reinstalling them without new guides and a valve job.

Mr.Duncan · Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 4:11 pm Post subject:

As long as you don't have a super tight deck (shouldn't with a stock compression motor) I'd run them
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Quokka42 · Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 4:17 pm Post subject:

My unprofessional opinion is smooth the sharp ridges with some sandpaper and run them.
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Brian_e · Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 4:21 pm Post subject:

Strip them apart, box them up, and send them to Brothers in Ontario, CA.
They need to have a cleanup flycut for sure. You can see the seating surface is beaten into the head. Who knows if they are all worn in the same amount. I would have them open them to a 90.5 size at the same time and then run a set of thick wall 88's. Have them replace the guides, do a quick port cleanup, and then a good valve job.
Unless you know for sure they have been recently rebuilt by a reputable shop, I would plan for a full rebuild. They do look like good cores, but i wouldn't top a nice new rebuilt short block with wore out stocker heads.
A mild 1679cc single port is a really fun little engine in a bug.
Brian.

eashc · Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 4:26 pm Post subject:

modok · Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 4:37 pm Post subject:

I don't see any problems with the heads.
Do you know how to check valve guides??

Boolean · Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 4:48 pm Post subject:

You have to have them flycut to clean up cylinder seating a bit. Most of the nicks will be gone after that.
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sb001 · Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 4:50 pm Post subject:

modok · Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 4:55 pm Post subject:

that's the wiggle method! wear limit is about .035" wiggle measured at the head of the valve with the valve lifted a half inch.

sb001 · Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 4:56 pm Post subject:

Mr.Duncan · Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 5:02 pm Post subject:

modok · Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 5:09 pm Post subject:

I think the "oil pop" is a bit too subjective. And what is the testing oil? Do we use hd30 or 5-40? gl4 or gl5? LOL

Mr.Duncan · Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 5:10 pm Post subject:

slalombuggy · Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 5:22 pm Post subject:

I'd get them cut and if the valves guides are good at least replace the exhaust valves. They have a nasty habit dropping the heads off when they get old.

brad

mark tucker · Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 9:19 pm Post subject:

crap, im getten old Shocked

slalombuggy · Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 9:53 pm Post subject:

Hopefully you ain't dropping any heads yet Smile

brad

Quokka42 · Posted: Sat May 23, 2015 2:02 am Post subject:

Checking the guides and replacing the exhaust valves are good advice, but I think he was asking about the scarring from a foreign object getting into the combustion chamber. Which reminds me he should lap the valves to make sure they are not bent. If you're on a budget and a stock rebuild, the heads will be fine with a bit of sanding after these precautions.
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sb001 · Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 11:38 am Post subject:

It seems MAYBE I have a hairline crack in between the two valves in this CC:

I can't really tell how deep-- it almost seems like just a surface scratch but I run my fingernail over it and it does snag just a bit. Significant engine failure if I run this head (after going through all the other procedures listed here?)
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