Disco Stu

Hi Guy's,

I'm not exactly the most experienced mechanic. Got a 302 XA and apparently it's burned out the valves on 1 cylinder. I'm not about to pay for a new engine for it, so my options are to accept a crappy old Barina I've been offered for it, or have a go at it myself.
How much would I be looking at for new (used) heads, and exactly what constitutes a head? Is it the cylinder head, valves, cover? Anything else?

Any idea what I can expect a good, stright, clean GS in this condition to be worth? Spent $3k on this bitch this year alone and I'm really depressed now :o(

Any advice/pointers greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Sad Stu

brenx

Around $440 for a set of 302CC heads c/o but you could probably fix yours cheaper. How'd it burn a valve? gas?

[edit] Don't bother with a Barina they are prone to chopping out camshafts and are worth nothing. You car is worth more.

Brenden

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XB Fairmont (street car) 11.07@123.02mph.

Disco Stu

Thanks Brenden, appreciate your comments. Well to be honest I'm starting to get suspicious - since a reco carby 6 months ago its been fouling plugs up within a month or so and all the backfiring that comes with it. Compression tests 3 months ago all was fine - all 8. Spotted a bit of oil on one plug last time they were changed, but allegedly there's zero compression on that now, and the rest of them are all over the place.
How likely the mechanic is after a bargain good XA at my expense? 2nd opinion maybe?

Cheers again,

Stu

brenx

Highly likely. XA's are classic cars now. They ain't depreciating anymore. What you could do is pull the suspect head off and fix any issues. Provided the guides are okay. You'd probably spend around $100->250 tops.

Oil can just be valve stem seals. They are a $30 part but are a prick to replace.

How do you get the heads off?

a) remove rocker covers
b) undo all rockers and remove pushrods
c) remove manifold
d) remove exhaust from head
e) remove alternator
f) undo head bolts
g) remove head

Brenden

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XB Fairmont (street car) 11.07@123.02mph.

MikGan

What gaskets/parts etc are required for a head swap, assuming u have a complete head ready to go on?

MikGan

and having the heads off is there anything that should get done while they are off? any performance upgrades that would be an oportune time to make another change?

xbgs351

Worth replacing the camshaft if it's worn.

A thermoquad and factory 4 barrel manifold will make a big difference. Should only cost around $100.

STROKEXD

Having just removed a head myself would say it is really easy but also add to Brendon's list to drain the coolant as well.

Because otherwsie when you lift that head off you will get coolant pouring into the bores..

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MikGan

Well I have a new cam actually alreay waiting for the heads, so I reckon I'll have the top end sorted once I add a new manifold to the list. so what about the bottom end, is doing that the same time the heads are off going to save much or is that so much of a big job that its not going to matter?

brenx

Oops forgot that one

Brenden

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XB Fairmont (street car) 11.07@123.02mph.