Third Try: Rebuild or Replace

legion · 11-14-2006, 07:14 AM

I'm not sure what happened with the first two times I attempted to post this. At first, neither showed up, now both do. Mods, can you delete the first two "Rebuild or Replace" threads?

...

I'm fairly certain my valve seals are leaking.

Rather than starting to dig into it and have more an more little things pile on, I was thinking about buying a rebuilt cylinder head from 944Online.com and just have everything taken care of in one fell swoop.

Any thoughts on this course of action?

Any thoughts on getting a head from 944Online?

rammstein · 11-14-2006, 07:22 AM

I talked to the dude Ian at 944Online and he seemed to be on the up and up, so if you go with them at least that should be a good experience.

ALSO- Its looking like I might be around here for a day or so when you get to FL, so perhaps an evening at Juvat's might work out for me.

legion · 11-14-2006, 07:33 AM

Great!

We can talk more about getting together in mid-December. Anything before that and I am likely to make promises I can't keep.

rammstein · 11-14-2006, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by legion
We can talk more about getting together in mid-December. Anything before that and I am likely to make promises I can't keep.

Yeah, I can't really plan things very well either.

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

Either way you have to take the head off. Is it cheaper to buy the rebuilt head or take yours to a machine shop? I would think the machine shop is cheaper but I'm not sure.

legion · 11-14-2006, 09:08 AM

Finding a reputable machine shop within 100 miles might be a problem.

I'm also thinking in terms of minimizing mistakes I might make and minimizing down time for the car.

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

You have a point about minimal downtime. If it were mine, it would come down to this...is it only the seals or is it the valve guides and seats too? If it's only the seals, ANYONE can change them in a few minutes. They are very easy to change. If it requires replacing guides and seats and resurfacing valves, then if you want to minimize downtime, buy the rebuilt head.

legion · 11-14-2006, 10:05 AM

Being somewhat of a perfectionist with my baby, I know I will find more than just the seals.

That's why I'm thinking it would be best just to start with a fresh head from the beginning, rather than deciding to do more and more as I get into the project.

ae1969 · 11-14-2006, 10:07 AM

May as well pick up a rebuilt head........... then sells yours.

legion · 11-14-2006, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ae1969
May as well pick up a rebuilt head........... then sells yours.

Only if I can get more than the $600 core charge for it.

Techno Duck · Techno Duck's Garage

You can have the head rebuilt locallly for i would bet less than $250 including parts and labor.

The 944 head isnt anything special, ask around the local Porsche shops and see who is trusted. If they can do a Chevy head they can do a 944 head. Valve guides and stem seals will probably cost you about $60-75 total. Labor varies but i doubt it would be more than 4-5 hours work.

I just had mine redone and it cost $140 for labor. It was roughly 4.5 hours at $30 an hour. That included checking the sealing surface, pressure checking, hot tank / steam cleaning, 5 angle valve job and changing the stem seals and valve guides.

It really depends on if you can afford a day or so of downtime.

legion · 11-14-2006, 12:32 PM

Hmmm....maybe I will check around.

Did they do the complete rebuild for you or just the machining?

Techno Duck · Techno Duck's Garage

Complete rebuild

hpaulb · 11-15-2006, 06:23 AM

Did the same locally. Took it apart myselfe and took it in. Did a complete check after for valve clearance and the like. Simplest of jobs. Replaced three valves (you know why) 4 guides, plained etc and all the rest. All the Porsche people in the area swore nobody within 300 miles was good enough except Porsche shops. Well the shop I've used for years did a great job.

AA_Ezra · 11-15-2006, 10:08 PM

I have purchased stuff from Ian before. Very relaxed and nowlegeable guy very honest. and was honest about whether or not to buy the accessories i wanted to get. If you do go the route of buying a rebuilt head i'm sure there wouldent be any problems

legion · 11-16-2006, 07:19 AM

Hmmm....where can I get a parts list for rebuilding a head? Clark's Garage has nothing.

Eldorado · 11-16-2006, 07:36 AM

talk to a guy that has done it, like Paul...
straight from the horse's mouth is best! (sorry paul.. didn't mean to call you a horse

)

hpaulb · 11-16-2006, 09:40 AM

I just saw a generic list on a thread yesterday? Still have to go through the list for your specific model.

legion · 03-06-2007, 12:00 PM

Well, this is turning into a monster.

I have four options so far:

1) Get a rebuilt head from Porsche. The head will cost $2,462.98 and the total job (including coolant, oil, timing belt, balance belt, tensioners and seals) will cost $4,310.34.

2) Get a rebuilt head from 944 Online. The head will cost $895.00 and the total job (including all above) will cost $2,701.40.

3) Have Lindsey Racing rebuild the head. The rebuild will cost $1,329 (with the performance options I want) and the total job (including all above) will cost $3,135.40.

4) Have the mechanic do the head rebuild. The rebuild will cost $1,046.59 and the total job (including all above) will cost $2,893.95.

Questions:

How reputable are 944 Online and Lindsey Racing?

EMBPilot · EMBPilot's Garage

chris! comon man!! snap out of it! now im the last guy that should be giving advice around here but....

pull your head, go slow and read, get your rebuilt, i'll bet you'll be up and running for 500 bucks!!

techno just did this whole ordeal!! and something tells me theres another member that is currently knee deep in a head project...

you can do it!!