So before my smoking condition gets any worse im gonna pull the head for a rebuild. I have already been quoted $200 for a rebuild to OEM specs. What else do you guys recommend? What can I get done for another couple hundred dollars? Port & polish?
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What's smoking? Chances are it's just the valve seals - common problem. So, what are they "rebuilding" for the 200 bucks? I'd definitely have it checked for flatness while it's off.

A real port/polish job is likely to be more than 2 bills.

 

Seeing how this is a DIY type of community, and you're ASKING for recomendations...

I recommend you get a couple books on porting and do that yourself. Get the head performance stuff done, then drop it off at the shop and tell em to rebuild it. I'd spend 200 on some books and bits and do the port work myself. If you don't wanna do it, don't pay someone else to. Odds are, they don't know what they're doing anyway.

 

have you guys seen phils hood cutting dis-abbilities lol?1 i think its best he gives it to someone to do the work. Phil, call rick and skippy and call it a day.

 

I agree with Pat- I did the p/p on my wife's 626 and it was enjoyable. But I'd be tempted to find out why I'm smoking first. You can replace the seals while the head is on. If it's the guides, then yes, rebuild. I'd be curious to see exactly what an rebuild to OE specs includes at $200. Because replacing guides in the price would be a sensational deal. If it does need a rebuild to cure smoking, just be prepared to pay more IYAM.

 

Good info guys. Im pretty sure it just my valve seals. My car smokes when sitting at idle and warm. It will also smoke if I shut it off while hot and then restart it after 10 minutes or so. No smoke at all while driving. Id much rather pull the head, have it refreshed, checked for flatness and have a port an polish if its in the cards.

I just got off the phone with Skippys who was recommended by several people. For $130 they will clean the head, pressure test it, do a valve job and resurface it.
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that's a pretty damn good deal.

 

 

Anyone have any experience with Viton valve seals? Scroll down just past halfway.

http://miataroadster.com/mr.html
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I ran those in a hot 302 I built a few years back. They work good and help prevent seals from ever leaking as wear occurs. However, it's my experience that keeping the oil clean and oil temps in check is more important for extending oil seals life.

When I built my 99 head, I bought the Felpro HG kit from Autozone and used the seals that came with it. 10K miles later my car runs fine and consumes <8 oz of oil in 5K miles. The seals the kit comes with are teflon coated too. Quality looked good to me.

 

$130 for a valve job is nucking futs.