[urq] Urq, WX, Head Problems, etc.

[quattrodude at comcast.net]

You bring up an interesting point, you talk about the valves being sodium cooled, yet when I talked to my machine shop as I too am having a head rebuilt for my WX, he said that the newer materials ie stainless are much better than the sodium cooled, can anyone verify this? or should I have him use the stock ones?

I think the total for everything to be rebuilt with stainless valves etc was about $700...does this seem out of range? he said about $10 and 15 for intake and exhaust..so thats about $250 right there so about 450 for everything else unless i start adding springs, retainers, lighter lifters etc...But Im not looking to build an all out race head. 

I just also wanted to say this group has been invauable and all the help and advice and information that has been provided over the years is really appreciated!

Thanks

JP

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Louis-Alain Richard" <larichard at plguide.com> 

> Stephen, 
> 
> I'm wondering if the mechanic has indeed measured everything, or just 
> assumed that to do a good job, everything must be replaced. You know, on 
> lesser engines, valves and seats and guides often are replaced because they 
> are inexpensive compared to the overall cost. On an Audi turbo 5 pot, beware 
> of the cost of the new valves and guides. Exhaust valves are sodium cooled 
> and the guides are titanium alloy. Both are $$$ and can last a very long 
> time. 
> 
> When my car's engine head was rebuilt 3 years ago, all they found was 3 
> cracks at the usual spot (sparkplug hole toward exhaust valve), and no wear 
> at all on the valves and the guides, even if the engine is over 100k. They 
> did replace the valve seats and repair the cracks. 
> 
> So my suggestion is : repair what you've got, don't replace what's not 
> mandatory, and collect the parts for a 3B swap to be completed when you'll 
> retire... 
> 
> Louis-Alain 
> 
> 
> 
> > -----Message d'origine----- 
> > 
> > ------ I have been having some work done on my '85urq. While on the 
> > dyno, after parts had been replaced and fab'd, etc. , there was 
> > detonation.. The engine is now apart. Pistons have been purchased, 
> > (Wisco) and the head and block or at the machinist. The machinist 
> > says that the valves and guides are out of tolerance and need 
> > replacement . Also , the cam journals are not properly aligned and 
> > must be rebored, (approx. extra $190.). The shop mechanic handling 
> > everything suggested a new head or equivalent . What would be an 
> > equivalent replacement head and approx. cost to make it fit...? I 
> > am thinking that I would be better off just continuing with the 
> > existing head repair, even though the machinist says it might now go 
> > thru another rebuild as it has already been worked on previously. So 
> > the present repair , he suggests , would likely be the last one... I 
> > have already had a front mount intercooler installed , bought a new 
> > turbo, had a tube header made, new d 
> > own pipe, EFI (Megasquirt) and new Ron Davis Radiator, and other 
> > related details. I had thought of getting a 3B engine and having him 
> > install it, but that would probably cost a lot more and many or most of 
> > the current parts would not fit. I sure would appreciate some 
> > suggestions and "how to's" to make my decision. Another head might 
> > need new valves and guides and new lifters and would cost to ship, from 
> > wherever and cost to be disassembled , manifolds might not fit, etc. , 
> > So I am thinking ; just repair what I have and get the car on the 
> > road. Thanks in Advance, Stephen Redford '85Urq Seattle 
> > shr42 at msn.com 
> 
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