skim head - remove cams?

[monkeyodeath]

How stripped down do I need to get my cylinder head before I take it to the machine shop to get decked?

Replacing the head gasket on an M20. One of the machine shops quoted $45 without the cams, and another $60 "without valves protruding".

I'm in Pasadena, CA, if anyone has suggestions as to who I should take it to.

[MR 325]

If you have the cylinder head removed it would really be worthwhile to have new valve seals installed and have the valves ground. Please keep in mind the M20 has ONE cam, not cams. ;) If you'd like me to do a stock rebuild let me know, I'll give you a very fair price since you're local.

[monkeyodeath]

Right, duh!

I'm waffling because I'm trying to sell the car and it has a small leak that is letting oil into the coolant. I want to fix it so I don't have a big "leaking headgasket" disclaimer on the ad, but I don't want to put a bunch of money into an engine I'm going to turn around and sell...

[AndrewBird]

I refreshed head is a selling point though. Makes the car more desirable and therefore easier to sell. Valve job should only be $100 + parts (seals). Likely cheaper if you do all the disassembly/assembly.

[ForcedFirebird]

Can't shave the head unless the cam is removed.

[TobyB]

Well, you could, but valve seal would certainly suffer in a couple of holes...

heh

t