Is this head salvageable (pics inside)

[laserspeeddemon]

So, this engine has less than 10,000 miles on it. Fully built. I began to mess around with the tuning. The car started to have some unusual behavior so I posted a log. Come to find out either the previous owner or the shop that tuned it had turned KNOCK off.

My initial assessment was that I blew the Head Gasket, when I pulled the head I found it was worse. The Manley pistons looked like the had been shot with a shotgun and the head looks the same. This is a clear sign that there was some pre-detonation going on. I already know I have to order new pistons and hone the cylinders. I'm just wondering if this head can be salvaged and machined down. What I'm concerned about is the rough abrasive surface on the intake side of the cylinder head.

Any thoughts?
How much can you machine a 1g head down?

Take a look at the pics.
1st pic: you can see how new/fresh/clean the head is
2nd pic: Bottom of head
3rd pic: Cylinder 1
4th pic: Cylinder 1 on it's side
5th pic: Cylinder 2
6th pic: Cylinder 3
7th pic: Cylinder 4
8th/9th pic: Misc

 

[redyute1]

In a case like that salvaging it will depend on how much needs to be machined,so I'm thinking the only way to find out is to take it to the machine shop,they should be able to give you a better idea.Then again i would think it would be better to get another one.

 

[Dsm4lyfe12]

In a case like that salvaging it will depend on how much needs to be machined,so I'm thinking the only way to find out is to take it to the machine shop,they should be able to give you a better idea.Then again i would think it would be better to get another one.

Why even post? Why not just say you have no idea?

 

[Dsm4lyfe12]

Whats done to this head?

 

[laserspeeddemon]

I'm actually not sure. I know that it has Kelford 272 cams. The springs are upgraded but not sure what brand. I know it's rebuilt the the seals and everything are still bright colored.

 

[Kapok6]

You are going to have to have a machine shop give their thoughts for an accurate opinion. A head can only be milled so many times before it can;t be milled any more so they will need to measure and see if it does have milling left, if it will be enough to irradicate the damage.

 

[FLASH1970]

I think if anyone on here would know, it'd be BogusSVO. He's a machinist if I'm not mistaken.

 

[MY1GDSM]

At least it is not pitted farther down in the Bowl(from what I can see), you could try to measure the overall height of the head to see if it's been surfaced before an how much...

How bad is the pitting (its hard to tell in the pics) about how deep is the deepest pit?

I recall you over-heated at one point.., can you measure the surface now as it is to see if the head is warped? an how deep the pitting is...

If you can measure these things it would give you an Idea of how much you'll have to take off VS how much surface you have now...

 

[banishedmunk]

A good machinist will be able to fill the area that is pitted with aluminum after it has been cleaned. Then they will put it throught he decking process. I am currently dealing with the same situation only that the compressor wheel found itself in an intimate relationship with all four cylinders.

 

[Deuce_three]

Just bring it to your "trustworthy" reputable machine shop and ask them if it can be rebuild it. My old 240 w/ blacktop suffered detonation (pistons done, head was a warped, so they say).. after 2 months or so in the machine shop they couldn't fix it BAH! HUMBUG!!....They wanted to charge me but I told them off since it took them a hell of a long time to tell me its not rebuild-able. At the end I realize it was a lot cheaper to buy a used good condition head and transferring all the goodies you have to your new head (if you do it yourself) then having the machine shop try to rebuild it.

 

[MY1GDSM]

A good machinist will be able to fill the area that is pitted with aluminum after it has been cleaned.

Yes this is true... I've had a machinists local to me fill in a very large gauge in the bowl of a head years ago couldn't even tell it had been repaired...

 

[laserspeeddemon]

Yes this is true... I've had a machinists local to me fill in a very large gauge in the bowl of a head years ago couldn't even tell it had been repaired...

Yea, my concern is that the filling may come out under the extreme heat and opening/closing of the valve, compression, combustion, etc.

 

[redyute1]

how far are you from dc i think i got a head sitting at the shop i can let you have for free but i gotta double check though.

 

[JacksonAuto]

Doesn't look too bad. It's likely that the heat has moved the seats around. The damage definitely doesn't appear to be extensive enough to throw it away and start over. The chambers can likely be cleaned up with a cartridge roll. Put in some new valves, do a valve job and you'll be good to go. Put in some new seals and check the springs while it's apart.

 

[MY1GDSM]

Yea, my concern is that the filling may come out under the extreme heat and opening/closing of the valve, compression, combustion, etc.

It's actually welded IIRC, That's if it even needs that... What mine needed was far less extensive,(but far deeper) then what your needs though. I suppose that could be of some concern but if you look around you can find so crazy stuff that's been Fixed. I'd check into it before giving up if you know a good machine shop an see what they say. If it helps at all I'm still running that head an that was at least 4+years ago...

EDIT: I see someone has already Commented on it being salvageable

 

[laserspeeddemon]

Doesn't look too bad. It's likely that the heat has moved the seats around. The damage definitely doesn't appear to be extensive enough to throw it away and start over. The chambers can likely be cleaned up with a cartridge roll. Put in some new valves, do a valve job and you'll be good to go. Put in some new seals and check the springs while it's apart.

Shoot, I just might bring it to you guys.

 

[JacksonAuto]

Just gimme a call. Ask for Tony. 410-859-3269. I can take a peek at it in person and let you know if it looks salvageable before we tear into it. That way you don't have to sink any money into it if it's garbage.

 

[laserspeeddemon]

Hey Tony, I'm just trying to figure out a day I can come up there. I'll be in touch.