I'm in the process of replacing cylinder head gaskets on my '96 Grand Prix. I'm stuck on whether to take the old heads to a machine shop or buy rebuilt ones on Rockauto or elsewhere. Rockauto has the same head I need, rebuilt with valves & springs installed for right at $200 each.
I had a set of heads rebuilt and resurfaced on my '04 Odyssey a few years ago and IIRC, it ran me about $450. I have a hunch that an OHV (pushrod) head should be cheaper than the 24-valve Honda head. Anyone know a ballpark on what it might run for 2 heads off a GM 3100 V6?
If price was equivalent, is there any advantage/disadvantage to an off-the-shelf rebuilt head, or having my own rebuilt at a machine shop? I don't know the condition of these heads other than that the engine was overheated. The previous owner rigged the cooling fans to run all the time, so they likely overheated the [censored] out of it. I suppose them having cracks isn't out of the question. Some part of me wants to support a local business, but with the Corona going on, maybe it's just easier to click a button and have rebuilt heads dropped off on my doorstep? Curious what you guys think if you were given the choice between the two options.
I had a set of heads rebuilt and resurfaced on my '04 Odyssey a few years ago and IIRC, it ran me about $450. I have a hunch that an OHV (pushrod) head should be cheaper than the 24-valve Honda head. Anyone know a ballpark on what it might run for 2 heads off a GM 3100 V6?
If price was equivalent, is there any advantage/disadvantage to an off-the-shelf rebuilt head, or having my own rebuilt at a machine shop? I don't know the condition of these heads other than that the engine was overheated. The previous owner rigged the cooling fans to run all the time, so they likely overheated the [censored] out of it. I suppose them having cracks isn't out of the question. Some part of me wants to support a local business, but with the Corona going on, maybe it's just easier to click a button and have rebuilt heads dropped off on my doorstep? Curious what you guys think if you were given the choice between the two options.