Well I got the head back on the car yesterday. Everything is good now. Now if I can somehow get the kid involved we can get this thing cleaned up and ready for her to drive. She gets her license in February. I definately don't get most kids these days . I couldn't wait to get my drivers license. Oh maybe its the fact that we give them everything.

My 383 in my 79 Malibu

 

valve job $150-$200, milling $50-$75, seals $40, assembly $50, and whatever valves you bent replaced. that is what the going rate is around hear at least

 

With that old of a motor, I think it would be cheaper to get another long block and replace the belts and water pump...

If that's not an option, prices are all different depending on the shop, if I were you, I would look through local junkyards for spare heads.

 

I hear ya there. I didn't know if it was worth the $300. Only paid $250 for the car. Looking around in the boneyards might be a good idea. The only problem with that is getting a decent head with no bent valves. I mean by just looking at the head I took off you can't tell any valves are bent.

 

^ very true, but if you know the junkyard owner (trust me, comes in handy ), they will usually know if the condition of the motor when they get the cars considering they also buy them.

 

I agree. I might have to poke around tomorrow and see what is available.

 

what i do if i think theres a bent valve i look at the top of the springs at eye level. if one is even slightly bend that spring will be compressed or depressed at least .015" which doesnt seem like much but you can see it with the naked eye. just trying to help out in anyway possible.

 

I guess I can just break the head down myself and replace the bent valve or valves and hand lap them in the old fashion way.

 

Well I took the head apart. None of the valves are bent. The #1 intake valves inside the runners were completely clogged with carbon and crap. The valves were totally encased in this funk. I had to use a brass punch in order to tap the valves out. I don't even know how any fuel was getting in there. The #4 valves were similar but not quite as bad. I broke the head down completely and cleaned out all of the crap. Lapped in all of the valves and reassembled. Had to order the gaskets so I haven't been able to put it back in the car yet.