My dad and I just removed the heads today off my 69 mach 1. The valves on one of the heads looks great, either work was done on it already or it just held up. But the other head was a different story, some of the valves were pitted/rusted and I don't know what else. What do you think needs to be done? Complete valve job? Do some of the valves need to be replaced? Could there be other problems in the block?

Thanks everyone in advance.

P.S. And is there any way to make my exhaust manifolds look nicer? they are pretty rusted/crusty/beat up. I was thinking of just getting some headers. But if not, how would i make it look more like it did in '69?

 

To be honest its very hard to tell the condition of the vlaves just by looking at them from the combustion chamber side. The rust could just be surface rust and be cleaned up with a wire brush. Its the actual valve seat that needs to be looked at.( both the sealing surface of the valve and the head. It is pitted? have the valves reccessed inot the head etc.
Since they are off, and depending on how much you want to spend, I would recommend having a shop do a full rebuild on them, and replace the push in studs with screw ins. If you are on a tight budget, get yourself a valve remover clamp, and do a clean up, and valve grind. and replace the valve seals.
In my opinion. its worth the peace of mind having the full job done, as its then something that wont need attention for years.

 

+1 Let the head shop have at them and then you will know.

 

sand blast the manifolds and prime them in red oxide...i did it and its been around 500 or so miles, and they still look really good, like they are supposed to be that way.

 

Ok thanks guys. We are going to take them in tomorrow but I just wanted other's opinions first so we don't have extra work done which is precious money spent. Thanks!

Thanks for the tip on the manifolds!

 

They make stuff to spray on the manifolds to keep them looking like cast iron. I have never used it but most of the on line Mustang places have it. Sand blasting first is a really good idea.