Register or Log In To remove these advertisements. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
05-15-2017, 09:46 PM | #1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Anchorage, AK
Posts: 52
|
Are these Vortec Heads cracked beyond useage/repair?
Found some small cracks on the center bolt hole and #4 and #6 exhaust valve.
Please see what you think. |
05-15-2017, 10:21 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Colfax-California
Posts: 8,568
|
Re: Are these Vortec Heads cracked beyond useage/repair?
I'd be looking for another set with a heavier casting
|
05-16-2017, 12:38 PM | #3 |
driving is in my blood
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Mesa AZ
Posts: 5,731
|
Re: Are these Vortec Heads cracked beyond useage/repair?
Any crack is a no go. They will only get bigger.
__________________
-78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me. |
05-16-2017, 01:22 PM | #4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Brandon,MS
Posts: 489
|
Re: Are these Vortec Heads cracked beyond useage/repair?
not sure but I've always been told any crack and its game over!
|
05-16-2017, 04:42 PM | #5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Anchorage, AK
Posts: 52
|
Re: Are these Vortec Heads cracked beyond useage/repair?
That sucks
|
05-17-2017, 12:39 PM | #6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Anchorage, AK
Posts: 52
|
Re: Are these Vortec Heads cracked beyond useage/repair?
Explain me something.
I had a 1996 K1500 with a vortec 350 in it, with 178k miles, and it was still running like a champ, no leaks. Many are still on the road today. I'm sure many have cracked heads still installed. Blind faith or what? |
05-17-2017, 12:56 PM | #7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Brandon,MS
Posts: 489
|
Re: Are these Vortec Heads cracked beyond useage/repair?
I don't know if I'd take that chance. Like Tom said the cracks only get worse. you get that engine overheated and you'll risk cracking the block or some other damage. You best bet is to take those heads to a machine shop and see what they think. They will repair them if they can if not they'll be scrap!
|
05-17-2017, 05:53 PM | #8 |
driving is in my blood
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Mesa AZ
Posts: 5,731
|
Re: Are these Vortec Heads cracked beyond useage/repair?
Kinda, since you can't see the cracks with the heads installed so you have faith they are still good to go since they run. Those cracks in the pics mightrun just fine at first. How long they would last is anyones guess. Might be 2 minutes, might be 100,000 miles. But once they've started they only get worse. If I pulled the heads on my 98 today and saw those cracks, even though it runs amazing right now, I'd replace them.
__________________
-78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me. |
05-17-2017, 07:13 PM | #9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Anchorage, AK
Posts: 52
|
Re: Are these Vortec Heads cracked beyond useage/repair?
So i bought these heads for $50, machine shop quoted me $175 for pressure checking them. Dropping the off tomorrow. So I'm out $225 if its a total loss.. Kinda like Vegas I guess, i may win and have good heads, or lose $225. Hoping for the best
|
05-18-2017, 09:02 AM | #10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: .
Posts: 2,186
|
Re: Are these Vortec Heads cracked beyond useage/repair?
Most machine shops will look for cracks before they pressure test, and most machine shops will tell you that you have 2 big pieces of scrap metal.
The crack around the exhaust valves are bad, but the crack between the coolant passage and bolt hole is scary. Machine shops can only pressure test the combustion chamber. They cant pressure test the coolant passages. I wouldn't even take them to the machine shop. Its better to lose $50 instead of $225. You can recoup some of your money by taking them to the scrap yard. You can buy brand new fully assembled vortec heads on summit for 300-330 each. By the time you would have these heads checked out, a proper 3 angle valve job, and new springs and seals, you'll be getting close to that, and you'll still have cracks. |
05-18-2017, 12:23 PM | #11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Anchorage, AK
Posts: 52
|
Re: Are these Vortec Heads cracked beyond useage/repair?
I live in AK, $300 each, plus $300 shipping...
|
05-18-2017, 12:49 PM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Hayes Va
Posts: 4,569
|
Re: Are these Vortec Heads cracked beyond useage/repair?
If you find a used set you can clean them up and do a quick check for cracks before taking them home. Scrape the deck surface really good and hit them with some brake clean then 220 grit paper. The a quick wipe down again with brake clean. The cracks usually show up pretty good like those in your heads do. A few minutes of work can save you some money.
Jimmy
__________________
60 to 66 Chevy and GMC window decals http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=661131 Good friends, good food and a hotrod what else do you need? 1966 BBW long fleet Daily driver 1965 BBW short fleet Sold and going to a good home 1965 Suburban 2003 3500 Duramax 2005 Ultra Classic |
05-18-2017, 03:32 PM | #13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: .
Posts: 2,186
|
Re: Are these Vortec Heads cracked beyond useage/repair?
|
05-19-2017, 11:26 AM | #14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Anchorage, AK
Posts: 52
|
Re: Are these Vortec Heads cracked beyond useage/repair?
|
05-19-2017, 12:34 PM | #15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MD
Posts: 1,937
|
Re: Are these Vortec Heads cracked beyond useage/repair?
"Most machine shops will look for cracks before they pressure test, and most machine shops will tell you that you have 2 big pieces of scrap metal."
Agree. They are junk. What you describe is the proper way. However, when Magnafluxing, the heads must be thoroughly cleaned first so the solvent carrying the flouresing agent can be drawn into the cracks when the magnetic field is applied. Some shops will charge extra for cleaning, others not. "Machine shops can only pressure test the combustion chamber. They cant pressure test the coolant passages." We can pressure test the coolant passages just as easily. It's essentially the same thing. Above said ... the crack from coolant passage to head bolt hole could be welded. The ones at the seats are bigger problem since far larger temperature differential there. Much cheaper to buy different heads that try to repair.
__________________
1969 c-10 Step Side Long Bed. I-6 250cid = = 1969 Pontiac GTO hard top. 400, 4-speed. |
05-19-2017, 06:51 PM | #16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Anchorage, AK
Posts: 52
|
Re: Are these Vortec Heads cracked beyond useage/repair?
I ran them by a shop yesterday and the machinst didn't take my money to tell me the are useless.
Kinda sucks, but at least Im only $50 out. Any suggestions on Aluminum heads for a RV cam, dished piston, headers? |
05-19-2017, 08:53 PM | #17 |
driving is in my blood
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Mesa AZ
Posts: 5,731
|
Re: Are these Vortec Heads cracked beyond useage/repair?
AFR's.
__________________
-78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me. |
05-19-2017, 11:54 PM | #18 |
60-66 Nut
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Posts: 23,248
|
Re: Are these Vortec Heads cracked beyond useage/repair?
Why aluminum heads? Do you already have the Vortec intake? If so are you wanting to use it?
__________________
Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE |
05-20-2017, 12:21 AM | #19 | ||
"I ain't nobody, dork."
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Posts: 8,947
|
Re: Are these Vortec Heads cracked beyond useage/repair?
A set of aftermarket new Vortec heads will cost dang near the same as having a used set rebuilt. Most of the new aftermarket Vortecs are made to take larger lift cams right out of the box and will flow way better than stock Vortec heads.
Gary
__________________
'cuz chicks dig scars... My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread. The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck Quote:
Quote:
|
||
05-28-2017, 11:29 AM | #20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Calgary Alberta
Posts: 1,166
|
Re: Are these Vortec Heads cracked beyond useage/repair?
I had an 89 4.3 leaking coolant into the rear left cylinder. I changed the head gasket and it still leaked. Block sealer. Next 90 4.3 same thing. Block sealer again and managed to get 200k miles out of that one. If you know its cracked get another one.
|
Bookmarks |
|
|