Do theses cylinder heads look good?
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 167
Do theses cylinder heads look good?
I'm tearing apart my engine to transfer the heads, intake, and cam to my new rebuilt short block. I removed the heads and the far right cylinder is pretty dark on both heads. Would this be that cylinder is running to rich? Or is this normal? There are no cracks in the head or valves and all the spark plugs looks normal on all cylinders. Also on the block, the passenger back 2 cylinders look different than the rest of the cylinders, and the driver side looks normal. On the pass side what kind of wear is that? Is this normal wear? What would cause that?
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 384
From: Colorado
It may be possible that since the pcv suction originates at the back of the upper intake and there is the possibility small amounts of oil are being pulled by it, this is the result of this oil being burned?
did u check the compression prior to pulling engine?
did u check the compression prior to pulling engine?
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 167
No, I did not. The engine ran fine before I pulled it. Before I have been losing oil so I installed an oil separator along with a new pcv valve and a new metal mesh filter.
Last edited by gnx547; Dec 21, 2012 at 06:58 PM.
4th Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,812
From: alabama
Looks like those 2 cylinders were drinking some coolant, yes the one head looks to have a rich and or oily condition, as far as the pcv sucking oil and a certain 2 cylinders getting it all is a little farse but hey it could happen!
Look closely at the gaskets inbetween those cylinders and see if they are warped any if so that was your problem on those two!
Look closely at the gaskets inbetween those cylinders and see if they are warped any if so that was your problem on those two!
4th Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,353
From: Indy
More than likely you were on the road to blowing the gasket. The head gasket may be warped just enough to where its sipping coolant in tiny amounts. You should replace it anyways since you took the heads off, I don't like reusing gaskets
Last edited by Duncan_GT; Dec 26, 2012 at 08:45 AM.
4th Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,812
From: alabama
Well that is one that you dont want to reuse, but i have seen it done!
You will need to have the heads reworked about 150$ at the machine shop pending location, resurfaced and vlv job. (not necessary but smart)
A cast head can become warped or cracked but warping isnt normal cracking is more common in iron heads, the aluminum are more prone to warping.
You will need to have the heads reworked about 150$ at the machine shop pending location, resurfaced and vlv job. (not necessary but smart)
A cast head can become warped or cracked but warping isnt normal cracking is more common in iron heads, the aluminum are more prone to warping.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 167
I looked at the head gaskets and both were straight, just the end part was a little distorted from taking the gasket off. I wasn't planning on taking the heads to the machine shop, just going to reuse them. So it is really necessary to get the heads and valves reworked?