I'm in the process of putting my GTA back together.. incident with a bit falling in the drivers side head.. and, I'm wondering if it's imperitive to get the heads resurfaced... I've heard both sides argued, and was wondering what your guys' opinions are.. cash is starting to get tight, and trying to keep it as inexpensive as possible. also, what head gasket would you recommend? it's a decently modded 350, (intk,exhst,custom prom,1.6roller rockers,cam, ported base/plenum/runners,etc). oh, and the heads havent been resurfaced.. and it's got about 100k miles on it.... oh, one more thing how much does it cost to have them resurfaced? thanks
Ben

 

Depends on where you go as to how much. Could run anywhere from 25-50 per head. Find out what equipment they use first, you want a machine that holds the head in place solidly, not some table that has a grinding stone on it... dont end up with a very flat surface that way.

As for surfacing them, its a tossup. I never have much luck if I dont do it, but theres lots of people who never have a problem.

 

But, the problem I'm looking at if I don't get it done is mostly just the heads not sealing correctly.. right? or is there something else I'm missing?

 

Thats the only problem there could be, and to fix it you have to do what you are doing now.

Ideally, you are putting the same head back where it came from with a new gasket. If it wasnt leaking before, it shouldnt leak after you put it back together. I've had mixed results in the past, more bad than good. The last one I did came out ok though, and it was a Chevy with the heads off the same block that wasnt leaking before so... maybe that has a little to do with it. What you can do is have someone check the head with a straightedge, and if its ok, throw a new gasket on it and run with it.

 

ok, I think that's what I'm going to do.. it was fine when I took it off, so if the straight edge doesn't proove me wrong, it's going to only get a new gasket. thanks for the help,
Ben