[Darth Vadar]

Maybe Pete can help us out here...



What would be an approximate amount to freshen up a 968 Cylinder Head in apparently good and serviceable condition, with +/- 100,000 miles on it?



Maybe one amount if no cams are needed, and a second (larger!) amount if it is determined that Cam replacement is necessary?



It's possible that we have been through this topic before, but more of us are seeing our cars approach the 100K mark or more, and it would seem like a Cylinder Head Refurb might lurk in the offing at some point thereafter?



And thoughts on what might be included? New Cam Chain, Variocam Ramps top & bottom, Valve Replacement, Valve Seats, Guides, Variocam components, etc.??? How about wear in the Cam saddles?



Is there any value to magnaflux the casting? Are these heads prone to any stress cracks over time?



Thanks in advance!

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[TheMirror]

Yeah, I'd recommend giving Pete a call about this, then let us know I suppose!



-Mirror

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[Dave]

Okay, I'll bear my soul on this one. Car runs great, don't know if it's the best pricing out there, but it appears to be skillfully done and I am very pleased thus far:



- Labor $1300

- Machine shop $650

- Valve guides (all) $120

- Chain $38

- Rail guides $81

- Headgasket set $260



I had other stuff done at the same time, but suspect the $1300 portion is pretty much dedicated to the headgasket job. Chicago rates per hour aren't cheap, so adjust accordingly for your local market. That makes the job just under $2500. If you stand in front of the car and think the job through, it really is a fair amount of work.



You will add a few other items along the way perhaps... coolant, oil, misc. items, t-belts or w/p "while you're in there"... but that should just about cover it.



This was a fully-operating head with good leakdown in all cylinders, original at about 142k miles. Reason for the work was a stubborn and difficult to find oil leak. This turned out to be the headgasket. Nothing in the coolant, but the gasket sure was shot. My cams were just fine and showed no issues at all.



Hope this helps.

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[Guest]

I would not assume you need to do anything to the head at 100K mi. I had my head off with 150K on it and it was in great condition (other than warpage from overheating). The machinist who shaved the head for me said that he rarely sees 16v heads that need rebuilding (he specializes in porsches).



My headgasket was also deteriorating.

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[Darth Vadar]

Good info! So the $650 was to just replace the valve guides???

Or did that include the Variocam Parts work as well? Resurfacing???

I'm planning on refurbing a used head, and hold it as a spare, so the pull and reinstall work would be on me. Just trying to figure out the actual cost of work done to the head itself.

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[Eric_K]

There are some prices listed on the RSBarn website - headwork, cams. Pete could answer all your questions.

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[Dave]

[quote name='Darth Vadar' post='33968' date='Apr 10 2007, 08:59 AM']Good info! So the $650 was to just replace the valve guides???

Or did that include the Variocam Parts work as well? Resurfacing???

I'm planning on refurbing a used head, and hold it as a spare, so the pull and reinstall work would be on me. Just trying to figure out the actual cost of work done to the head itself.[/quote]



Not sure what cost goes where, but the $650 was machine-shop sublet, so I would expect it was all cleaning, grinding, resurfacing, and installation of valve guides. I don't know that there is any real machine shop work for the Variocam stuff. On that end, expect the labor for pads, chain, setting timing, etc. all came out of the $1300 shop labor.



You would obviously have a LOT less hours if you do not have to R&R the head. It's no small task and requires a little magic to get the timing "just so".

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