I decided to make a separate thread for this question instead of putting it in with my 2.8-3.4 swap thread.

I realized that a big reason it'll take so long for me to finish it is because I was opting for all performance parts.
If I go for reman. to at least get me on the road it should be just as well.

Anyway, this brought me to one issue..which are the heads.
I'm pretty sure my old ones are in bad shape and I need new ones.
New ones, after the core are $160/each...$320 for a pair of heads..it makes me think about those, too.

Would it make that much of a difference to buy the heads reman. than to get them from a junkyard?


Is there anything I should look out for in junkyard heads that'll tell me if they're good or not?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

Reman heads will be rebuilt and have a warranty. JY parts are always hit or miss and some don't have a warranty period. I'd get the reman heads.

 

I have a set I can refurbish for you, no core charge this way

 

Do you have a price?

 

Rebuilt, does $200 plus shipping sound fair? They came off my 3.1 with 89k miles. Will include new springs, valve seals, and a valve job. All my heads get chemically cleaned, sandblasted and the deck surface is lapped to be within .002".

You can check out some aluminum heads done at my shop...

http://s158.photobucket.com/albums/t...ojects%203500/

http://s158.photobucket.com/albums/t...n%20VA%20mods/

http://s158.photobucket.com/albums/t.../Chris%203500/

and my heads are in this album somewhere (ported)...

http://s158.photobucket.com/albums/t...ild/?start=all

 

The 3.4l project might be on hold momentarily(by about two weeks).
I'll know for sure tomorrow whether it will or not.

I've found a $400 cavalier that's claimed to run fine. If it does, I'll buy it and start driving it so that I don't have to rely on anyone for transportation to work.

After that, if I go that route and the car checks out, if you still have them I'll consider it.
I'm also considering 89's offer, too though.

Are you sure those heads would fit?(or were you just referring to the alum. heads to show quality?)
Would it come already assembled? Or would it be apart?

 

Heads will come assembled. Yes the aluminum heads will fit with some modification to your existing brackets, accys, throttle cable, ECM wiring and such (info in my "What's a Hybrid" thread) - although the pics were to show the quality.

 

If I go that route, then I'm in for way more than a simple swap.

I'd never fully read that thread, though I *have* skimmed over it multiple times.
I suppose it's time to go ahead and read it.

Thanks for the offer

I have to ask, though..
How long is this offer going to be on the table?

 

For the iron heads, as long as I have them, they are for sale

The aluminum stuff is a little more expensive .

 

I also might have a hybrid top end for sale if you decide to go that route, just pm me if you do

 

Ah, crap.
I posted it but it just posted the "Please click one of the Quick Reply icons..."

Alright, well I checked out the car today and it turns out that it's a third generation Pontiac Sunbird LE, 4cyl.
So it looks like I'm going *that* route for now.

The project's on hold..but only as far as buying things is concerned.
I really appreciate the offers and if any of them happen to still be here when I get the money again, then I'll definitely take up at least one of you on it.

The restaraunt I work at has been going downhill since it was bought by the new owner so now I don't have a reliable job, either. Which..isn't helping things.

Anyway, thanks again all
Sorry I couldn't get this done now.