Sad

[stephend]

Ah, I was assuming you'd replace the valve. The point about keeping the buckets and shims in the same places they came from is to preserve the valve clearances. If you're simply putting on a 'new' head, it's the buckets and shims in the 'new' head whose positions you need to preserve.

Re replacing the valve, if you're not confident about replacing and grinding in to the seat (or don't have the necessary tool for removing the valve), that's almost certainly something Derek (?) at the garage could do for you. You've done the donkey work of disassembly, so you'd only be paying for the cost of a valve (not huge for a Volvo OEM, I believe, especially with a nice FRF discount), and a modest amount of Derek's time and skill.

Of course, if gatos can source you a good head at a modest cost, it's as broad as it's long. Me, I'd be tempted to go the route of renewing the valve, purely for the satisfaction and to save gatos a trip to the scrappy. But that's just me.

Re grinding in, go with the advice in the other thread - from memory, Clan advised grinding in, but I don't really remember off the top of my head. Bear in mind that yours is a non-turbo, so doesn't have the sodium-filled valves that were discussed in the other thread.

[DWM]

Thanks. I see. I didn't understand before why these things had to be so carefully looked after - clear now.

I don't actively WANT to put gatos to the trouble but I think in this case I will.

I'm not bothered about the satisfaction-value of preserving the 'original' head. This 'new' one will be newer.

(And if I go to Derek and then the car fails to appear at any future stage he'll know that I was useless and %^&*ed up the re-assembly.... Not sure that I could live that down...)

So it's yes please gatos - and if possible can it come with the thermostat housing please?

[DWM]

...and this way I get to clean up the old head and turn it into a coffee table or something... it's the Chipping Norton way...
Definitely time for a shower and some broccoli pasta.

[stephend]

Fair enough!

Of course, you could then strip down the old head as a learning project. Might be worth bearing in mind that, as far as we know, the head itself is fine, it's just the valve that's damaged. As such, it's worth holding on to as a spare, or passing on to someone to repair and fit, so it would still be worth taking care of it, keeping the buckets and shims in the right places etc etc.

If you're getting a used head, check it for flatness, or ask gatos to. The last thing you want is to find it had got overheated and was warped!

Edit: ps, we really should try to get your recipes together into a VOC recipe sticky thread!

[malteser]

Wow been reading this thread and good on you

I really wish I had the time to do my own car like you are doing

Danny

[gatos]

It's not a problem at all DWM. When I offered, I genuinely meant it. I was just asking in case you thought it would be easier and cheaper to just replace the valve.

The good thing with the donor car in the scrapyard, is that it is low mileage car. I am afraid I can't check if the flatness of the head. All I can really do, is check the oil and coolant for signs of headgasket failure. But I would also agree that it might be a good idea to check just in case. I will also make sure I remove the head bolts in the right sequence to avoid any damage to it. No need to lock cams, no need to support the engine from under, no need to mark where every bolt goes, etc etc. It will be a lot quicker and fun....

[stephend]

Wouldn't it be ironic if the reason the one in the scrappie had been scrapped was because of an exhaust valve failing on #4...?

Oh 'eck, hope I haven't jinxed it!

[gatos]

Originally Posted by stephend

Wouldn't it be ironic if the reason the one in the scrappie had been scrapped was because of an exhaust valve failing on #4...?

Oh 'eck, hope I haven't jinxed it!

lololol. In that case, I would have wasted a couple of hours of my time. Saying that, it is a much lower mileage car, so I hope not

[stephend]

Since you obviously enjoy poking about at the scrappie... that one you're going to scavenge the head off... it hasn't got a decent set of roof rails on it by any chance...?

[DWM]

Originally Posted by stephend

Since you obviously enjoy poking about at the scrappie... that one you're going to scavenge the head off... it hasn't got a decent set of roof rails on it by any chance...?

It's an S40 if the link gatos sent me is anything to go by. So that'll be a no. Now stop hijacking my thread!

I think Dog_Book has some in fact...