Replace with used head or keep original?

[Floor guy]

First post, so here is my question! I have a 84 944 n/a with a auto Transmition. I picked it up for a grand. Replaced the oil pan due to a hole in it. Noticed it pressurizing the coolant tank. After reading everything i could about it, we found a leaking head gasket. I have an extra 944 for parts a 85. While soaking the 84's valves flipped upside down with sea foam, noticed the number 3 cylinder leaked a little sea foam in to the exhaust port. Other 3 are dry. My 85 all are dry, but it looks like the head had been cleaned and sanded?? Will try to add photos, will have to add 85 head pics later.pic of lifter as it came out, no ball in lifter!

[v2rocket_aka944]

the heads are interchangeable.
either the valve could be a little bent or it isn't sealing well against its seat.

any auto machine shop should be able to do a valve job and replace the valve guides and stem seals for 200-400$ including parts...in STL there should be tons of options.

[Floor guy]

Originally Posted by v2rocket_aka944

the heads are interchangeable.
either the valve could be a little bent or it isn't sealing well against its seat.

any auto machine shop should be able to do a valve job and replace the valve guides and stem seals for 200-400$ including parts...in STL there should be tons of options.

Thanks for the fast reply, this car is a fast fix due to me having prostate surgery next week, I can not drive a clutch for 12 weeks. this is not my baby, so I just need it to run till I'm back on my feet, any other things to look at before I make a decision? Will be putting it together tomorrow, hopefully? I really am enjoying working on, and driving these cars.

[v2rocket_aka944]

If you need a fast fix and the 85 head appears OK, you could get by with having the surface cut flat/smooth at a machine shop for a few dollars and put it on.

[Floor guy]

Originally Posted by v2rocket_aka944

If you need a fast fix and the 85 head appears OK, you could get by with having the surface cut flat/smooth at a machine shop for a few dollars and put it on.

This might be a beginners question? What do I ask the machine shop to do? How do I pick the correct shop? What ever head I do not use I would like to have it completely gone through, before I do the complete rebuild on the extra block. Thanks in advance for any help on this.

[v2rocket_aka944]

Any auto machine shop can do it, a 944 head is just like any of the hundreds of millions of other aluminum cylinder heads out in the world.

You would tell them you are replacing a head gasket and ask them to "cut the deck flat" or "cut the gasket surface flat". Should be maybe $50 or so.

As for your engine block, rotate the engine so all the pistons are halfway down the bores. Stuff paper towels in the bores. Get some green scotch brite and some engine oil/WD-40 and gently scrub all the block-top surfaces until they are clean aluminum. You might need a sharp razor for any bumps of old gasket material left. Remove the towels from the bores and use shop vac/compressed air to get any debris/dust out of the engine...When done use acetone/brake cleaner and fresh rags/paper towel to wipe the whole shebang clean.

If you drop off the head at the shop to get cut, go home and clean the block surface, that should be enough time for the shop to cut the head. Go get it, and put the thing back together...

[Floor guy]

Originally Posted by v2rocket_aka944

Any auto machine shop can do it, a 944 head is just like any of the hundreds of millions of other aluminum cylinder heads out in the world.

You would tell them you are replacing a head gasket and ask them to "cut the deck flat" or "cut the gasket surface flat". Should be maybe $50 or so.

As for your engine block, rotate the engine so all the pistons are halfway down the bores. Stuff paper towels in the bores. Get some green scotch brite and some engine oil/WD-40 and gently scrub all the block-top surfaces until they are clean aluminum. You might need a sharp razor for any bumps of old gasket material left. Remove the towels from the bores and use shop vac/compressed air to get any debris/dust out of the engine...When done use acetone/brake cleaner and fresh rags/paper towel to wipe the whole shebang clean.

If you drop off the head at the shop to get cut, go home and clean the block surface, that should be enough time for the shop to cut the head. Go get it, and put the thing back together...

Great info!!. Will start the cleaning as soon as I get back. While comparing the 2 heads, the 84 has the letters and numbers 944.104,303.6R. The 85 has 944.104,303.8R is that just a manufacturer number , or are they slightly different? Everything else matches up perfectly. Thanks again for the info, I am definitely taking your advice. Always wanted a Porsche, now I have 2 and a parts car! Life is good!!