caseypryan

iTrader: (10)

I am buying heads from someone and one of the combustion chambers is clean..The car seemed to run perfectly fine to my knowledge when the heads were on and they are just unported/milled 243's with dual springs, vitan valves seals and at least 15,000 miles (guy didn't know previous miles when he bought them)

Are the heads damaged or could it have just been a bad plug or wire?

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...9_291884_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...7_254462_n.jpg
Do they look alright?

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

The guy who was running these heads probably had a coolant leak. That will clean the piston and combustion chamber so it is spotless, as seen in your photo. Check the guide in that cylinder to make sure it is not worn and pull the valve to check for any damage.

ZYA_LTR

+1 what vettenuts said...probably a leaking head gasket that was steam cleaning the cylinder, just check for any corrosion damage in the valve guide and seal.

garygnu

do a valve seat test.hold the head so the intake runner faces up ,pour in some solvent.check the intake valve for leaks.do the same for the exhaust valves.

killernoodle

A bad plug/coil/wire will definitely keep a cylinder clean, as would a faulty injector. No combustion = no carbon. So will a small leak in the head gasket, but if you don't smell any antfreeze in the exhaust or notice bubbles in your coolant, then it is probably something wrong with the fuel/spark in that cylinder.

That being said, if it ran perfect, it is probably coolant in the cylinder.

caseypryan

iTrader: (10)

well I can't check for all those things as the heads are being shipped to me. should I just stay away from these?

00pooterSS

iTrader: (40)

Coolant in the combustion chamber, bad head gasket most likely cause.

Have the heads decked/milled to make sure it wasn't caused by a warped deck surface

I wouldn't worry about the heads, but I would suggest having them magnafluxed, decked, and valves checked for leakdown at a machine shop before using them.

caseypryan

iTrader: (10)

They are $500 shipped with dual springs, vitan seals and tsp chromo pushrods. Would that be worth it if I end up paying a shop all that?

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

Are they off a Z06 or standard 243 heads? If Z06, they might be worth it because of the valves. If they are run of the mill 243's, I might look elsewhere for that price. I picked up a set of low mileage Z06 heads for $450 if that is a good gauge of the value of these heads.

FRiCK

iTrader: (7)

243's are z06 heads. I think you meant to say 241......??

ryarbrough

iTrader: (18)

Nope... 243's also came on LS2's without the good, lightweight valves.

NemeSS

iTrader: (127)

243s came in anything from pickup trucks to suvs, corvettes and gtos.

the ls6 is a 243 fitted with lite weight valves and slightly better springs than stock ls1.
another version of the 243 is the 799 which is physically the same thing as a conventional 243.

NemeSS

iTrader: (127)

if your not content with them, it will always be something that bugs you.
i have sold excellent condition used stock 243/799 for 350$ and thats a fair price. i would just use new springs anyways.
i always do. who knows what condition the used springs are in. i would not trust em in my builds. or any engines i put togther.
its gonna cost more if you drop a valve
0.02$

evil chevy

i use to have like this case and i found ther i have bad fuel injactor coz even the plug was so clean

00pooterSS

iTrader: (40)

A. You should have any used heads fully checked at a machine shop before you install, better to uncover any issues before you put them on.

B. I would try to get them cheaper than that, I would suggest new valve springs and who knows if the pushrods you are getting are going to be the proper length. If the springs are real good and the pushrods are correct its not that bad or good of a deal, its okay at best.

I actually bought ZO6 243's with the cam a while back for 400 to give you a reference of some of the deals that can be had. As stated above if they are 243's NOT off a Z06 then they aren't worth quite as much.

caseypryan

iTrader: (10)

Yeah I'm aware they're not worth quite as much. But I'm not revving it much higher than 6400 so I don't care much about the lightweight valves

ZYA_LTR

Then what i think the guys are saying is that if they aren't the Z06 heads then you should/could probably get or negotiate a better deal, as the valves are what adds value to the Z06 heads.

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

The way I see this is that they want top dollar for a set of heads that "may" have some issues. You won't know until disassembled and then it is too late. Personally, I would keep looking. There are too many good deals out there to risk it.

camz28arro

iTrader: (12)

I sold brand new 243's for around $500, used 243's are usually around $350-450 and I would just for peace of mind, spend the $50 to clean up the deck surface and make sure it's flat even if they are "new". You wouldn't want to do it again right after finishing like I had to due to the cometic gaskets.

Danny White

Hi i did the most stupid thing i did te head gasket in my car taking off the head the coolent went in to te piston chamgers i got all caught up in getting this done tryed to start my car and my stupid *** forgot to clean out the coolent out of the piston chambers anyways its all back together and the coolent is still in te chambers DO I HAVE TO DO THIS OVER ??? or can i put a small hose in the spark plug chambers suck all the coolent out will this dammege my car AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA