I've been fed up with some of the used junk that I've bought for my motor swap lately, and was excited to order a pair of brand new LS3 heads.

This is what I got, brand new, right from the GM parts counter. This is the first head. Look close and you can see 3-4 dings along the edge of the head gasket surface on the intake side. Both corners are slightly dog-eared, and there are a couple other dings:


The other head had a couple similar dings, and this doosey right on the corner:



I could probably file the offending bump out of the head, but I'm not going to bother. Back to the dealer it goes.

 

Pretty normal from what I've bought to find such things. Could be that shipping up to Canada involves more time handled that could lead to that but regardless I see nothing in those pics that a file couldnt fix and further nothing that will affect the seal or performance of them. Maybe theres more blems in bad spots but those are nothing to worry about IMO.

In my experience getting the parts in hand is the most difficult and trying aspect of any build so maybe thats why im so unfazed by the dings.

But the annoying part is when you pony up the $ for top parts new and then suffer lunch bad let down.

 

those first 2 pics are nothing to get upset over, and the third shows what's to be expected with any aluminum head pulled out of any box. I've yet to see one that didn't need a light re-surfacing.

 

The 2nd and 3rd pic are the same bump. The head looks like it was dropped, and because of it, the corner is puckered up almost an 1/8".

I'm sure it could be filed, and it's not in an area that's critical, but the last thing I want to do is have to resurface a brand new set of heads. I'll probably keep the head in the first pic and see if I can just get the 2nd one replaced. I don't mind the small dings, but that pucker is a bit too severe for my liking.