$100 used head or repair bent valves?

[idosubaru]

2003 Forester, timing belt let loose. Trying to fix this for a friend as economically yet wise as possible.

 

I'm thinking $100 for a used head is going to be hard to beat. No way a shop is going to replace all 4 valves (or probably 8 to be smart) and grind them for that price right?

 

Would be nice to shoot for new valve stem seals but at this point a full on head rebuild is going to be costly. A local place quoted $400 per head, definitely not doing that.

[GeneralDisorder]

Used head - definitely the cheap way out. And charge him extra labor for his unwise decision to not address the belt before failure.

 

GD

[davebugs]

The used heads.

 

GG I'm heading down your old way to pick up a TDI today Woodbridge VA

[ferret]

I AGREE .... used head .... I did this 2 years ago when my timing belt shreaded. choices $900 to rebuild my heads, or $200 for both from a 2003 legacy with 85K.

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/every-2-5l-interference-engine-64410/

 

Took the used ones ...... only down side, I never used oil before between changes, now I use a quart .... not a lot, but something that didn't cross my mind at the time.

 

Would I do it again ....ABSOLUTELY .... can't even predict if the rebuilt heads wouldn't develop an oil seal problem either.

Edited October 26, 2011 by ferret

[idosubaru]

thanks guys. plenty of heads out there, seems to make sense.

 

And charge him extra labor for his unwise decision to not address the belt before failure.

 

GD

i understand the sentiment but no charge on this one, helping this family out. they're just paying for parts.