The ABSOLUTE WORST LUCK
The ABSOLUTE WORST LUCK A friend was removing a rocker stud when it snapped flush with the head. 
I not blame the guy who did it. The cylinder head was helicoiled by the previous owner and every stud was difficult to remove. I tried an easy-out (broke) and a welding trick that didn't work. I removed the driver's side head last night.
My question is... should I spend the cash to have this repaired at a machine shop or pick up some 5.3L heads? Budget is pretty tight.
I not blame the guy who did it. The cylinder head was helicoiled by the previous owner and every stud was difficult to remove. I tried an easy-out (broke) and a welding trick that didn't work. I removed the driver's side head last night.
My question is... should I spend the cash to have this repaired at a machine shop or pick up some 5.3L heads? Budget is pretty tight.
Why would you pick up a set of 5.3l heads, are you replacing stock 5.3l heads with another pair of stock 5.3l heads?
It'd be cheaper to have a machine shop fix the head. Have them re-form all the threads. This allows the fasteners (bolts) to reach and hold their specified torque specs better.
It'd be cheaper to have a machine shop fix the head. Have them re-form all the threads. This allows the fasteners (bolts) to reach and hold their specified torque specs better.
well we broke a lifter screw flush with my brand new block, then we got a tiny drill bit to pill it out and then the bit broke off in the screw!!... i always have bad luck with my car!!!
Originally Posted by CANNIBAL
Why would you pick up a set of 5.3l heads, are you replacing stock 5.3l heads with another pair of stock 5.3l heads?
It'd be cheaper to have a machine shop fix the head. Have them re-form all the threads. This allows the fasteners (bolts) to reach and hold their specified torque specs better.
It'd be cheaper to have a machine shop fix the head. Have them re-form all the threads. This allows the fasteners (bolts) to reach and hold their specified torque specs better.
Originally Posted by Tech
Because I'm going through the effort of tearing down the motor to the block and it's hard for me to button it back together without 'improving' it in some way.
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I would not bolt stock 5.3's on they have smaller valves than stock (for us)...
You could mill your stock heads for a bump in compression or just fix it and leave it alone.
You could mill your stock heads for a bump in compression or just fix it and leave it alone.
I told the machine shop to stop working when the bill reached $100 to remove the head stud. I get a call from them today saying the head is done and the bill is $150. They removed the broken off stud and helicoiled it.
They said that the other 7 rocker stud (hole) threads were iffy. He said you could hand thread the bolts in but you'd "need a wrench" to tighten them all the way down. Considering the rocker arm bolts are torqued to 22ft lbs, this is not an option to me. The kicker is, the shop wants ANOTHER $140 to helicoil the remaining 7 holes!!! That's nearly a $300 bill!!! I could have new (used) heads for $200-250!!! ARGH!! I'm going up there with a $100 and telling them to take it or get bent. Then, the head is going to another machinist (friend of a friend) to get the remaining holes fixed.
The terrible luck continues....
PS. Never take a cylinder head into a machine shop wearing a starched shirt and light colored khakis. They'll Fing rip you off!!!
They said that the other 7 rocker stud (hole) threads were iffy. He said you could hand thread the bolts in but you'd "need a wrench" to tighten them all the way down. Considering the rocker arm bolts are torqued to 22ft lbs, this is not an option to me. The kicker is, the shop wants ANOTHER $140 to helicoil the remaining 7 holes!!! That's nearly a $300 bill!!! I could have new (used) heads for $200-250!!! ARGH!! I'm going up there with a $100 and telling them to take it or get bent. Then, the head is going to another machinist (friend of a friend) to get the remaining holes fixed.
The terrible luck continues....
PS. Never take a cylinder head into a machine shop wearing a starched shirt and light colored khakis. They'll Fing rip you off!!!
I was removing 1.85 Comp rockers that the previous owner had installed.
Yes, Mercedes. The reason why I mention it is because service writers for TriStar would not put up with anything sub-par from something they outsource. Costly maybe, but never shady business practices.
I really think that since I wasn't covered in grease and wearing an Al's Automotive shirt, they tried to squeeze extra money from me. For $300, they can keep the head.
Yes, Mercedes. The reason why I mention it is because service writers for TriStar would not put up with anything sub-par from something they outsource. Costly maybe, but never shady business practices.
I really think that since I wasn't covered in grease and wearing an Al's Automotive shirt, they tried to squeeze extra money from me. For $300, they can keep the head.
TECH Veteran
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,055
Likes: 1
From: Hartsdale, NY
That blows;
I took my wife's Benz to a tranny shop to repair the leaking front pump. I got a verble estimate of $400 and told them not to hose me since I owned a tranny shop 20 years ago and was hip to the rip offs. They called back and said they had to replace the pump at $1,300. I told them to give me old pump and I would have a look. They said they turned it in as a core. I said but you told me you replaced it with a NEW pump.
and on and on and on .....
For my next outside repair I will insist on a WRITTEN estimate.
I took my wife's Benz to a tranny shop to repair the leaking front pump. I got a verble estimate of $400 and told them not to hose me since I owned a tranny shop 20 years ago and was hip to the rip offs. They called back and said they had to replace the pump at $1,300. I told them to give me old pump and I would have a look. They said they turned it in as a core. I said but you told me you replaced it with a NEW pump.
and on and on and on .....
For my next outside repair I will insist on a WRITTEN estimate.
Originally Posted by MUSTANGEATER
I'd just get rid of those Comp Rockers and go back to stock. You're going to probably want the 1.7 ratio back when you go to an Aftermarket cam.