924Board.org

fergie · Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Posts: 72 Location: Michigan

I was removing the camshaft from the head tonight, preparing to take it in and have it resurfaced, and noticed two little cracks on the sealing surface of the head. This is on a 2.0 na motor btw. The cracks are going between the holes where the head bolts go through, and the small holes next to them that are kind of between the cylinders. They are only between my #2 and #3 cylinders. I can see down into one of the holes that the crack goes at least an inch deep into the hole. I am thinking that this means my head is no good... but it seems questionable because the cracks are so small it is hard to see them, which is why i didn't notice until now.

This puts me in an unfortunate situation, because the car is probably not worth as much as a replacement head or the cost of fixing my current one. I have about $450 into the car and it is almost done, other than needing the head fixed and an expansion tank. I am going to try and sell it for as much as I can get, I don't want to junk the car. Any help here is appreciated, I will most likely try to find a new head in a junkyard or something but I'm not sure.

1.) What are my options as far as head replacements go?
2.) Is it possible to have this one fixed?

Thanks

Kenodog · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 2669 Location: Vancouver,B.C.

It can be welded no problem by a shop or you can get a replacement for probably about the same amount of money.Of course then you would have to have the valves lapped in etc. which would end up costing you more than a simple weld/surface skim.
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1979 Euro 931, Olive
1981 931, Sabine
1991 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4, Ricky
1996 Ford E-350 ex-FedEx Van
2014 Mazda CX-5 (Kinderwagon)
2019 KTM 790 Adventure
2024 KLX300
2024 KLX140

fergie · Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Posts: 72 Location: Michigan

Alright, that sounds pretty good... I'm just trying to be careful with how much I spend on this because I don't want to put too much more into it than I can sell it for. I will probably take it to the shop tomorrow and see how much the work is gonna cost.

Thanks

D Hook · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 3158 Location: Omaha, NE

What year is the car and where are you located?

Spare heads might be available here on the board or sometimes on ebay.
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'80 924 n/a SOLD

fergie · Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Posts: 72 Location: Michigan

It is a '77 and located in lower Michigan.

The guy at the shop said that my head isn't repairable. Apparently one of the cracks found its way into the valve seal, and it would cost alot to fix all this. So I'm now looking for a replacement head... anyone know where I should start my search?

Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

Parts Heaven will have one.

www.partsheaven.com
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

fergie · Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Posts: 72 Location: Michigan

Thanks Chrenan.

-nick · Joined: 16 Nov 2002 Posts: 2699 Location: Cambridge, MA

Post a "wanted" ad in the sale/wanted forum. I'm sure someone has an extra head they'll part with. n/a heads are usually pretty easy to pick up. Don't sweat it too much.

nick