Technical Discussion Topics related to Technical Issues

Rebuild or replace head?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-22-2007, 04:22 PM
  #1  
Member
Squid
Thread Starter
 
driven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 53
driven is on a distinguished road
Rebuild or replace head?

CCT failure in the front cylinder = pooched valves. Cams, etc are fine. Should I rebuild this head or buy a known good used head? I have located a set of heads for about the same as rebuilding my current head.

If rebuilding is the route I should take, does anyone have a set of valves they want to part with? Do the guides usually end up damaged in this apparently common scenario?

If I buy the pair of heads I'd be selling the rear cheap as I don't need it. Anyone interested?

Thanx in advance for your responses...
driven is offline  
Old 08-22-2007, 05:19 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
MotoGP
 
nuhawk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Austin, Tx
Posts: 4,138
nuhawk is on a distinguished road
Originally Posted by driven
CCT failure in the front cylinder = pooched valves. Cams, etc are fine. Should I rebuild this head or buy a known good used head? I have located a set of heads for about the same as rebuilding my current head.

If rebuilding is the route I should take, does anyone have a set of valves they want to part with? Do the guides usually end up damaged in this apparently common scenario?

If I buy the pair of heads I'd be selling the rear cheap as I don't need it. Anyone interested?

Thanx in advance for your responses...
I question whether "known good used" exists. Maybe I'm just fickle with all this used parts stuff but the stuff on Ebay is dangerous - mostly junk or surely part junk. If one of the cammers from here at the forum had head parts left over from a build, then I think you would be ok. I think the entire assembly should be refreshed at rebuild. That said, I'm not sure I wouldn't do the same for the rear as well. You're going to be in there anyway so might as well make a clean sweep!
nuhawk is offline  
Old 08-22-2007, 07:57 PM
  #3  
Member
Squid
Thread Starter
 
driven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 53
driven is on a distinguished road
Can't rebuild both heads, bike bank is too depleted! So, is this normally a valve change or will the guides need replacing?
driven is offline  
Old 08-22-2007, 08:21 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
MotoGP
 
mikstr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Montreal
Posts: 5,631
mikstr is on a distinguished road
I'll be replacing the heads on my VTR shortly ("new" heads are currently being ported by dealer, will be mated to Yoshi Stage 1 cams) so I'll be looking at getting rid of the old ones. If you can wait a bit and are interested let me know.

cheers
mikstr is offline  
Old 08-22-2007, 08:44 PM
  #5  
Member
Squid
Thread Starter
 
driven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 53
driven is on a distinguished road
PMd you...
driven is offline  
Old 08-22-2007, 08:50 PM
  #6  
Member
Squid
Thread Starter
 
driven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 53
driven is on a distinguished road
Oops - your box is full!

How soon is 'shortly'? I've located a set for a reasonable price - what will you be looking to get for yours? Temps are dropping here in Maine so time IS a factor!

Thanx!
driven is offline  
Old 08-22-2007, 09:37 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
MotoGP
 
mikstr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Montreal
Posts: 5,631
mikstr is on a distinguished road
Hi again,

mailbox is now empty IN terms of timelines, I would love to get it done within two weeks at most but as I'm getting a good deal from my dealer, well, I am in no position to turn the screws on them too much.

PM me and we can discuss this further.

cheers
mikstr is offline  
Old 08-22-2007, 10:34 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
Superstock
 
Speed_Demon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 428
Speed_Demon is an unknown quantity at this point
You can usually get away without replacing valve guides but it depends on how well they faired. How are the valve seats? If you need to cut the seats the job turns into a clearance nightmare. I would recommend replacing the head. You should be able to find a good replacement. Its pretty obvious if the replacement head is damaged. Just look for unseated valves, cam bearing surface damage, and cracks. Remember the two heads are different. The cam chain tensioner mounts are reversed.
Speed_Demon is offline  
Old 08-23-2007, 04:54 AM
  #9  
Member
Squid
Thread Starter
 
driven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 53
driven is on a distinguished road
Thanx SD, yes, I have noted the difference between front and rear heads. There are plenty of rear heads available but front heads are rare. I'm assuming these go bye bye far more often.

mikstr, I can't wait 2 weeks. Sorry man but thanx for the offer.

I'm taking the head to a reputable machinist today to get his opinion. What blows is that all 4 valves will cost more than a complete spare head (minus cams). Which brings up another issue - I'm not crazy about putting my cams in a different head. I can always plastigage them to check clearances but if they're out, then what? As I stated before, I can buy a set of heads complete with cams but I only need the front and really don't want the extra expense of buying both or the hassle of trying to sell the rear one.

I'll know more after I speak to my machinist.
driven is offline  
Old 08-24-2007, 05:22 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
SuperSport
 
AZZKIKER's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: MICHIGAN
Posts: 731
AZZKIKER is an unknown quantity at this point
I have a spare front head if you want it. Let me know. PM me.
AZZKIKER is offline  
Old 08-24-2007, 05:38 AM
  #11  
Member
Squid
Thread Starter
 
driven's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 53
driven is on a distinguished road
AWWW MAN! I just ordered a complete set (front and rear) yesterday. Complete w/cams, valves, covers, etc. Thanx anyway... Ordering my APE tensioners today. Should be back up and running next weekend!
driven is offline  
Old 08-24-2007, 06:08 AM
  #12  
Moderate-whore
MotoGP
 
Randman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Leander TX!!
Posts: 9,049
Randman is on a distinguished road
Patience, Grasshopper...there are always solutions around the corner...
Randman is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Renderw
Technical Discussion
17
07-01-2013 08:03 PM
Renderw
General Discussion
12
09-10-2012 07:24 PM
Vincent
Technical Discussion
15
06-30-2011 12:58 PM
viperkillertt
Technical Discussion
14
02-11-2011 02:27 PM
Generation450X
Technical Discussion
9
05-25-2009 07:14 AM



Quick Reply: Rebuild or replace head?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:38 PM.


Top

© 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands



When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.