Anything concerning in these photos, particularly as it relates to valve guides and seats? (2.0L Type IV)
Head 1
Head 2
#1
#2
#3
#4
Head Assessment
- vwlover77
- IAC Addict!
- Location: North Canton, Ohio
- Status: Offline
Head Assessment
Don
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78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick
"When we let our compassion go, we let go of whatever claim we have to the divine." - Bruce Springsteen
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78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick
"When we let our compassion go, we let go of whatever claim we have to the divine." - Bruce Springsteen
- satchmo
- Old School!
- Location: Crosby, MN
- Status: Offline
Re: Head Assessment
Captain Obvious here, most likely, but #3 has a good size crack and something really bad happened to #4. Are you planning on reusing these heads?
Satchmo
Satchmo
By three methods we may learn wisdom:
First, by reflection, which is noblest;
second, by immitation, which is easiest;
and third, by experience, which is bitterest. -Confucius
First, by reflection, which is noblest;
second, by immitation, which is easiest;
and third, by experience, which is bitterest. -Confucius
- vwlover77
- IAC Addict!
- Location: North Canton, Ohio
- Status: Offline
Re: Head Assessment
I was hoping to reuse them. That crack in #3 is far less obvious to the naked eye than it is in that photo. But that's the kiss of death, isn't it?
The damage to #4 has been there since I bought the Bus, including the first time the engine was apart. Ugly, but apparently no impact on functionality.
Any recommendations on where to purchase good rebuilt heads if I don't want to pay Hoffman prices?
Don
---------------------------
78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick
"When we let our compassion go, we let go of whatever claim we have to the divine." - Bruce Springsteen
---------------------------
78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick
"When we let our compassion go, we let go of whatever claim we have to the divine." - Bruce Springsteen
- satchmo
- Old School!
- Location: Crosby, MN
- Status: Offline
Re: Head Assessment
Cracks between the valve seats are more common, but I think that any crack that finds its way into the seat is probably bad.
I had Headflow Masters rebuild a set of heads for me once. They didn't last that long, unfortunately.
I had another set of heads redone by Rocky Jennings in Walla Walla, WA because I lived only an hour or so away. He does good work, but it took a lot of time and more than a little money.
There has to be a machinist close to you who has the tools, the experience, and the talent. Ask around.
Satchmo
I had Headflow Masters rebuild a set of heads for me once. They didn't last that long, unfortunately.
I had another set of heads redone by Rocky Jennings in Walla Walla, WA because I lived only an hour or so away. He does good work, but it took a lot of time and more than a little money.
There has to be a machinist close to you who has the tools, the experience, and the talent. Ask around.
Satchmo
By three methods we may learn wisdom:
First, by reflection, which is noblest;
second, by immitation, which is easiest;
and third, by experience, which is bitterest. -Confucius
First, by reflection, which is noblest;
second, by immitation, which is easiest;
and third, by experience, which is bitterest. -Confucius
- SlowLane
- IAC Addict!
- Location: Livermore, CA
- Status: Offline
Re: Head Assessment
I don't know what $$ you'd be looking at for machine work, but consider that new AMC heads are going for ~$430 apiece. Depending on your budget vs. tolerance for risk, as exhaustively explored in this Samba thread, putting on a fresh pair of plain AMC heads (unmodified by Len) may be your least-stress option.
'81 Canadian Westfalia (2.0L, manual), now Californiated
"They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it is not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance."
- Terry Pratchett
"They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it is not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance."
- Terry Pratchett
- asiab3
- IAC Addict!
- Location: San Diego, CA
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
Re: Head Assessment
Heat two exhaust valve guide looks to be worn as well, from the deposits on it.
Close-up in-focus pictures of the back sides of the valves themselves will also help. You can tell a lot about the valve/seat relationship from them.
Why would one head appear to have copper shims(?) under the valve springs?
Adrian's Type 1 heads have been solid for me, but his Type 4 heads haven't lasted very long in friends' cars.
Robbie
Close-up in-focus pictures of the back sides of the valves themselves will also help. You can tell a lot about the valve/seat relationship from them.
Why would one head appear to have copper shims(?) under the valve springs?
Adrian's Type 1 heads have been solid for me, but his Type 4 heads haven't lasted very long in friends' cars.
Robbie
1969 bus, "Buddy."
145k miles with me.
322k miles on Earth.
145k miles with me.
322k miles on Earth.