Well WTF. Definitely get what you pay for.

Ordered these heads since I have the early small valves that need seals and was doing an intake upgrade anyways.

They used words like "Remanufactured", "Rebuilt", " fully Machined", and "Surfaced"... so I assumed that'd be the case.

Instead, I get valves with carbon on the backs, crusty headgaskets (so they definitely didn't resurface), and questions as to if I should even run them.

One head is repainted black, has yellow paint on the springs, and a rebuild/junkyard popper glued to the side.

Other head is just old metal looking (not blasted/tanked) and looks pretty original.

I also don't know much about this stuff... but I noticed the head with yellow springs has copper washers under each spring. The other head has no washers at all. And the round piece at the end of the valve stem is copper on one set and steel on the other. I suppose that'd be just whatever the rebuilder used though.

Should I just send them back? Should I suck it up and just take it for what they are?

Though I guess I can't even be sure the seals are new. At this point I'm not sure what to do.

The next cheapest is 2x the price on ebay.

Here's what I bought: http://www.ebay.com/itm/231813843161

Here's what I got:

 

They have definitely been remanufactured. BUT.... they have been installed and removed for some reason. Contact the seller and request either a refund or new parts. If necessary file a not as described case with ebay. Either way, good luck.

 

I second what what said above. If the seller doesnt want to make this right then file a claim through paypal for Item not as described. The seller MAY try to get you to pay a restocking fee if you choose not to keep them but hopefully ebay and paypal will side with you on that and offer you a 100% refund with the seller paying for return shipping.

 

I would definitly contact the seller asap! And if that doesnt work then file a grievence. Ive done that before and it worked but it does take a long time to recieve the refund.

If you have to, its not too hard to replace the valve seals. And they are cheep. 20 bucks or so.

Im not sure why they have shims under the springs. If you had and wanted to be sure those were the same springs on both heads, remove them measure the hight and coils arround as well. Its not exact but it could help show you.

It suxs they came like that but the little bit of carbon and such isnt a big deal.

Definitly try to get you money back since they sent you something different then what they advertised.

 

Yeah I figure I can probably get my money back, maybe lose out on shipping, but was on the fence as to if these were a good deal for what they are (at $150/pr) & I should just keep them, or pony up the cash for proper rebuilds.

 

What really confuses me is the fresh assembly lube on the valves & total lack of recent carbon/oil. Maybe they were installed, but not run?

And the shims do worry me. If both sets of springs are the same I'd imagine that'd change the spring ratio on one head, yes?

 

see what happens worst comes to worse u could rebuilt those fiarly cheap yourself

 

first things first throw away the stock rotators and springs and spend 100$ for the comp cams springs locks and retianers

 

Is there any way to check the seals with the heads off? Or just bolt em on and hope it doesn't smoke?

I'm sure tearing engines down and replacing heads is common for a lot of you guys but this is a BIG job for me and I really want to do it once!!

 

See I'm not even sure what you mean really! Why is what's there bad?

Wish I could find someone who knew these heads and could gasket match & smooth the ports for me along with a good checkover & upgrades like you mentioned! All the machine shops around here closed or are just too pricey.

 

Yes having a shim under the springs on one head would change the characteristics of the spring. Butt if you are running a stock camshaft it isn't going to hurt you at all. But if you keep them I would strongly suggest changing the valve seals with new ones which require you to take off the Springs anyway so that you can remove those shims. You definitely do not want to put those heads back on not knowing if the valve seals are any good

 

Are you ever planning on putting a aftermarket camshaft in the car? If not stock Springs and Hardware are fine which is what you have right now I would just suggest changing the valve seals because they are so cheap. I wish you lived around me I was port the helll out of those heads for you.

 

your first pic of the valve is interesting. Check the silvery substance to see if it is gritty. It kind of looks like valve lapping compound to me. If it is you would be in a world of hurt running these heads.

 

i thought the same thing , or its antisieze

arron , u can deffinatly port the heads yourself i still cant get into my photobucket but i do have the pictures posted in fasteddis thread i belive the pictures along will explain what u would need to do

 

You think the difference in springs wouldn't matter with a stock cam? I'd love to do the cam but that's digging a bit too deep for my comforts

I haven't ever done valve seals before, or removing retainers or anything like that! Little scared to screw something up. Is it a hard thing to learn to do?

I'd ship the heads to you if you'd be willing to do some porting! They're still boxed up from when I just bought em

Worried me a minute! It feels like assembly lube or anti-seize like project89 said. Not gritty.

This thread? Looks like I have some reading to do after work!

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/v6/670455-fasteddis-turbo-3-1-a.html

 

Id port them and make sure they are ok but shipping them to ohio i would imagine isnt cheep. But you can see if youd like. Zip 43465

 

I agree. By the time you pay shipping back and the 20% "restocking" BS, you will OWE them money! Contact seller FIRST.