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How much would you pay for a head job?


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Well... my turbo XT has been sitting for 2 1/2 months now, and I STILL have not had the time to do the heads on it. The days are getting shorter now and my schedule is getting busier; looks like I'll have to pay someone to do this job for me. The local Subaru junkyard/specialist quoted me $150 to do the job. How's this price sound? I think it's a deal- but I've never really looked into pricing for this.

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MAKE SURE he knows its a flat 4 engine, and there are 2 heads. I called machine shops around my area to have my heads:

Resurfaced

Shaved

Valves Gnurled

New Intake valve gaskets

Valve grind and reseating.

 

$150 was the quote, per head. I didnt know until i picked up my heads with $150 in hand, and was given a $300 bill.

 

$150 is a good quote for 1 head, its a GREAT Quote for 2 heads... make sure its in writing and there is a warranty.

 

-Brian

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I bet $150.00 is for one head.

Or you could just do the heads yourself for about $30.00.......

It's not that tuff,

 

1. Go to harbor freight (or equivilent) and buy a valve spring compressor ($27.00), a tube of lapping compound ($2.00). You should already have a head kit anyway and it will include the valve seals.

2. Pull and clean the valves.

3. Lap the valves into the seats (I use a power drill).

4. Clean everything really well.

5. Pull the old valve seals off and slip the new valve seals on.

6. Re-assemble the heads.

7. Install.

 

A "Chittlin's" manual will give you enough info on the procedure to do it right.

It really is pretty easy, At worst, you'll learn something.

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Well... I checked... the guy has a 30 day guarantee on labor. The price is indeed for BOTH heads. This place specializes in 80's and early 90's Subarus, so they know exactly what they're getting into. The place really seems to remind me of Dennis' old shop, where swapping heads was almost a routine matter.

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