Hi Guys,
How much should I expect to pay to have my 4cyl head machined in Melbourne?


Tools

If the head has the valves etc removed around $50 but it all depends where you go. What area are you in?

Thanks GQShorty. I am in Richmond. So they can't machine it if it isn't stripped bare? I haven't stripped one before so don't know what is involved, and then putting it back together.

Tools

If the head is ok and not warped and you just want it skimmed to clean up the surface i have had places skim it with valves etc in place.
If it is warped and needs straightening then it will have to be stripped.
You will need a valve spring compressing removal tool to get the valves out also good vice to hold the head in is also a big help. V1

Good time to get the valve stem seals replaced as well as valve seats recut. Why do half a job?

Thanks for the input guys. I did a compression test this arvo and looks like I have an issue between cylinders 2 and 3. 1 and 4 were good at more than 150 but 2 and 3 were roughly the same at around 40. My suspicion is that the head gasket has crapped itself between 2 and 3 rather then having a valve problem. I did the gasket about 5 years ago without machining and all was good. I am tossing up if I will take that risk again, or if I could find a replacement head cheap enough I would just swap the head. Anyone know where to get a reasonably priced head?

Max, I haven't done stem seals etc before and don't know how to deal with them. If you saw the car you would agree it isn't worth spending too much on!

Vee, That is promising but I wouldn't kno0w if it needed just a skim or further work until I had taken it in. Would they strip it down and reassemble if need be? May as well just buy a replacement head if all of that was required.

Tools

Recon exchange heads are available, with all the work done. You may need to look around though.

Any workshop will strip and reassemble the head for you, at a cost of course.

Judging the value of a job relative to the value of a car is silly, it really depends on how much longer you want to, or need to, keep driving it. Not unusual to spend a couple of thousand dollars to do up a car that cost $500 to start with.

Warping generally occurs when you overheat the motor in a big way. If it just had the head gasket go and you did not let it get too hot it may not need straightening. When i was pushed for time a while back i had a 4cyl mazda head rebuilt for $500. They had to straighten it as it was warped and also crack tested, dipped in cleaning tank and ground all valves and replaced the stem seals etc and reassembled it ready to fit. If yours is not warped would be a bit cheaper i would think. They also replaced some corroded coolant jackets on the inlet manifold.
Ring around and get some estimates from some reconditioners. I have a spare head on a running engine but wil not be home for several months.
I got offered an exchange head for $450 a while back ready to fit to a Magna but mine was ok just got it skimmed and did the rest myself.
Sometimes you see reconditioned heads on Ebay. Vee

magna buff had a head for sale .

Time for me to start gathering the gear I need to do the job. Are there any brands of gasket to avoid or are they all much of a muchness?

Tools

Most brands are pretty good. Last VRS set i got was $45 on ebay. Vee

Thanks Vee. I have seen those sets and also seen just the head gasket alone for that price so wanted to make sure I wasn't buying myself trouble.

Tools

Guys how can I tell what motor I have to ensure I get the correct gasket set and head if I decide to get a new one? Are all of the gaskets the same regardless?

Tools

the only different gasket is the carby inlet.if you get a new head look for a m6 to m9 i got a change over head from r,e auto's for $350. years ago

Magnaman,
I can get a reconditioned head off flea bay for $350 delivered if I decide to go that way. Not sure if I will yet or if I will take the risk and just put the old head back on as is. I will ask the guy selling them if he knows if It is an m6 to m9. Will it problem if It is not one of them, or will it just not be as good?

Tools

m6/m9 are the better flowing heads.

Ok, thanks for your advice. I have emailed the seller to see if he knows what it is he is selling.

Tools

if his has picture;s up check between spack plugs 2 and 3 the head type will be there

Great tip but unfortunately he doesn't have a pic that shows me that.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MITSUBISHI-TM-TN-TP-MAGNA-RECONDITIONED-CYLINDER-HEAD-/140924008735?_trksid=p5197.m1992&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3 D1%26asc%3D14%26meid%3D7594484900837975222%26pid%3 D100015%26prg%3D1006%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D140924008735% 26


Tools

If I do decide to get a new head I will have to swap over the rocker arm etc. I have had a look in the manual and there is lot of instruction about priming the tappets etc. How much of that would I need to do if I was just swapping them from one head to another rather than disassembling?

Tools

Turns out he has got two of them - an M3 and an M4. I am angling towards just putting the old head back on after a bit of inspection. If I use a straight edge and feeler gauges what is the maximum I could have before the head has to be machined?

Tools