kinglenario

Hey guys, I have a stock 1986 with 100k miles. Running strong but I think I might replace the head gasket before I add a little more power. Is it a good idea to replace the valve guides while in there on a 100k mile engine? Will have the head decked as well.

Jfrahm

The valve guide seals, sure. The guides might be fine, you won't know until you measure them.

schip43

+1

racerxrick

exactly...take the head to a trusted local machine shop and let them mic everything..they'll let you know what you need.

btw, I did exactly that with mine about a year ago and it didn't need much at all.

kinglenario

Lindsey has a nice rebuilt gone through head with 5 angle valve job, new valve guides, and some porting and polishing for about $700 with a core. That seems like a pretty good deal. Is there anyone else selling nice heads for around that much?

racerxrick

ya' can't go wrong there!

DDP

You can find someone local to you that'll do it for much cheaper. Also, no shipping risk.

refresh951

Colin,

I used a place Josh B told me about, B & W in Norcross. I was real happy with the work they did.

Tom M'Guinn

Personally, I would not change the head gasket if it is not leaking.

lart951

Agree, I wouldn't either.

Rogue_Ant

I have to disagree here...Depending on how much of a power-increase is planned...
If this is the stock head-gasket, then the webbing is deteriorated, and will not hold-up well to increased power-output.

zerMATT951

+1

Don't take the head off if you don't have a problem. Plan your boost mods correctly and spend that head & gasket money on appropriate chips and fuel mods to handle the extra boost. What are you planning to do to add boost?

Vitesse is near you, you should look at his chips & MAF w/v-flex or an M-Tune setup from Rogue.

refresh951

+1, if I had it to do again, I would have replaced my stock head gasket when I put in the new turbo. It started leaked soon after and it was very deteriorated.

Paulyy

I replaced mine. The all came in a head gasket kit I ordered from a local shop

ChrisJ951

Replace it. Mine was original when I modded my car and it blew within a mile.