aluminum head inspection

Discussion in 'Technical' started by newtoford, Dec 4, 2008.

  1. newtoford

    newtoford Member

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    '76 Maverick, '76 Comet, 78 Monte Carlo, '85 Cutlass Supreme, '86 Regal Limited, '87 Grand Prix
    a guy wants to trade me a set of aluminum trick flows fully assembled with valves and roller rockers, ready to bolt up and run for the 72 maverick im trying to sell

    A. would you say this is a good deal (i think so)

    B. what should i be looking for to make sure these are as good as he says?

    thanks
     
    newtoford, Dec 4, 2008
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  2. Mavman72

    Mavman72 Gone backwards but lookin' forward

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    I coulda had a set of aluminum trick flowes at carlise last summer for 400.bucks.Problem is you cant really tell if they are good or not without some inspection(dye penatrant type) or pressure testing.Hard to see cracks in cold heads in your hand.If he will let you get them pressure tested before you agree to turn over the car and foot the bill for it... I would say go for it.IMHO the car is worth more than a set of heads,even with the 351 just sitting in there.Good luck
     
    Mavman72, Dec 4, 2008
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  3. newtoford

    newtoford Member

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    damn, thats what i was thinking... ok. guess i'll have to renegotiate lol
     
    newtoford, Dec 4, 2008
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  4. mean_maverick

    mean_maverick Senior Member

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    i'd swap him the body for heads, to me that would seem fair but a running 351w already bolted in the car and everything for a set of used aluminum heads?! IMO, id ask for boot or something else in between but thats just me
     
    mean_maverick, Dec 4, 2008
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  5. stockhatch

    stockhatch Re Member

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    Trick flow heads can be nice heads, but more often than not, they need seals, guides(and the resulting valve job) at a minimum. This is because the seals just suck, and the guides wear due to valve angle and the fact that alot of people do not set them up properly.

    I bought a set of low mile TW heads and they needed ALL of the intake guides and a valve job. I also did all the seals while I was at it and had them tanked and checked for flatness. I ended up with exactly the same amount in them that I would have paid for a new set. Lesson learned. I will never buy another used set of aluminum heads unless they are the deal of a century, like under $300.
     
    stockhatch, Dec 5, 2008
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