Who needs a machine shop!
 

It never crossed my mind to try something like this, but this guy surfaced a head at home. It might be flat, but is it perpendicular?

Edit: if somebody could embed this, I’d appreciate it.

https://youtu.be/HyKN52HD6RU

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HyKN52HD6RU

Here ya go....

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HyKN52HD6RU" title="HOW TO RESURFACE A WARPED CYLINDER HEAD AT HOME WITH SAND PAPER" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I have seen a low budget head surface machine that was really a big belt sander. Janky as heck.

I don’t think it is that uncommon.

That man has the right attitude

glass is nanometer flat. and super easy to get a hold of it turns out. not the first time ive seen this.

Same process as used on warped Porsche valve covers.

Also - this same process of using sandpaper covered glass is known in the woodworking arena as the "scary" sharp method of sharpening plane blades and chisels. Inexpensive and very efficient.

He talks too much.

It will not be identical to when first machined as far a perpendicularness (is that a word?) but it won't impact anything.

One thousandth this way or that. No biggie if flat.

To what surface does it need to be perpendicular?

I've never seen a head that has a requirement for perpendicularity called out. Flatness is where it counts.

This guy is in great shape being able to do that much sanding.

The only thing I think you could measure the 90 degrees against would be the head bolt through holes and the value would be you could tell people it was perpendicular to those holes.

those are clearance holes, they arnt even straight on the .001" scale.

If you did this all the time, I would agree this is the way to go. But if it were a one off, getting set up with the paper, glass, etc vs the $80-$120 to grind or fly cut two heads may not be worth it.

If you did Subaru head gaskets only and you had them stacked deep, I could see this manual method being beneficial because it takes several days for the machine shop to turn it around on top of the cost.

Agree. Just rambling.

"Does the bolt fit through? OK. Ship it."

the machine shop provides extra value too, not just resurfacing. they should also check the valve guides, and check for leakage, relap valves etc.

Not knowing what his circumstances are, this is a good cheap way to do it yourself if you don't have the means to get it done at a machine shop.
I would like to have seen the end result of a running engine but it really doesn't matter. I would have blown the head off with air, not just hit it with a rag, but again, he may not have that at his disposal. For a down on your luck, my car has a blown head gasket and I need it fixed, this will work in a pinch and should last a long time.
Something like this is a Roadkill Garage special for sure.

+1

I bent one valve on my sister's subaru three years ago before removing the heads when pulling all the timing gear off. We can talk about what I did wrong later. lol

I am freaked out. I identify the valve because it's not seating. Go to the Subaru dealer. $18 for a new valve - full retail.

Take heads to shop for a reface. They charged me $10 to replace the valve.

Lots of worrying for nothing.

Side story. When I did the heads on the 81 911 in 1996 I was paying about $50 per sodium filled valve. I went to a speed shop in Houston. A set of valves for a 350 V8 was $60. Perhaps just the intake or exhaust valve sets but it was eye opening.

What is he talking about at 19 mins?

Other than making a video - IMHO - not worth it.
Buying all the special sandpaper and piece of glass. Building the block for sanding/etc. Then storing all that stuff for the next time. I have no idea what a machine shop would charge maybe $200?

One reason I love my El Camino, is the cheap parts. I had an brand new 350 right from GM, not rebuilt, not remanafactured, 100% new 350 delivered to my door for $1,700.00 2 year and 24,000 mile warranty included. Nothing else is close to that cheap except lawn mower engines. I did the engine swap myself over the long Thanksgiving weekend. I just swapped over the water pump, starter, alternator, AC compressor, and such. I did have a buddy swing by to help stab in the new engine.

I bought GM Mr. Goodwrench brand front brake pads a few years back, and they were a whopping 12 bucks. No cores needed.

Probably impossible to get the correct finish for MLS gaskets also .