HotRodFiend

Ok heres the deal. I have an 84 z28 305 with ttop sitting in my garage. Engine completely dissasembled. Im going to replace all the gaskets. I have new plugs wires cap rotor some sensors and lots of maintenance parts i already bought. Im cleaning up the engine and going to paint it before it goes back. I dont have enough money for an engine swap . I think the carb has been rebuilt recently. Anyways. Im thinking of having work done on the heads since i have the new valve guide seals already. I have two choices i could thow on the new seals and put the heads back the way they are. But im worried a few years down the road something will go wrong and the heads may crap out anyways. Should i get some machine work done on them and if so what do u guys recommend. Im looking for asome economy and performance gain but im on a budget. Maybe just a valve job? Porting and polishing? I need some suggestions and price refrences.

freaky

try an get enough money for a set of vortec heads . by the time you have the heads redone you could almost buy new vortec heads ...

galletti

True enough, but that would mean he would need a new intake manifold as well junking the budget. There are a couple good threads on here on 305 DIY head porting. Do that and a valve job and you should be all set. A new cam will really wake it up (as much as a 305 can) and will run under $300.

305sbc

iTrader: (3)

As a minimum I would get the guides refreshed with some bronze liners, have the springs checked, get a performance valve-job, and have the heads resurfaced.

If after disassembly it becomes clear that the valves need to be replaced, then you may want to use the opportunity for some upgrades. There is a lot of performance upgrade information for stock heads in links in my signature.

HotRodFiend

Yeah a new intake might require a new carb right? Im in cali so i have to adhere to all the smog regs and stuff.the mechanic here was telling me getting the heads done without a rebuild might blow the piston rings. I think im just gonna do the valve gaskets myself and save the 375$ both heads would cost. Then i can reassemble it all and pray =p

305sbc

iTrader: (3)

No.
Find a trust-worthy mechanic.

HotRodFiend

Well he is just some guy i work with. He is not doing any work for me. But ive heard several peoplesay having the heads rebuilt on an older car may cause the bottom end to wear faster or even crap out in one way or another. Is there any truth to this. Besides i justwant this engine back in. Maybe a few years down the road i can save up to throw a 350 or lt1 in there

305sbc

iTrader: (3)

None. Not if the work is done competently.
By that I mean not dumping coolant down the bores and lifter-valley during disassembly, and not dropping old gasket debris or parts down into the rotating assembly or oil pan.

torque_is_good

it all comes down to MONEY

if you have none, then at a bare minimum replace the valve stem seals and lap the valves.

I'd also suggest a new oil pump. You have it open so why not and they aren't too expensive.