Hello
I am taking the motor out this winter to do some cleaning and painting. I want to have the heads rebuilt because the exhaust ports are not true and leaking. What is the process of rebuilding heads? I just want to keep it stock as the motor is all stock from what I have been told.
1. If none of the valves are bent do I need to replace?
2. Do I need to replace springs and retainers?
3. Are the head bolts use once and dispose?
4. What gasket would be the best in this circumstance.

Thanks in advance for any positive feedback i can get.

 

Rebuilding the heads will not 'true' the exhaust side of the head - it's flat from the factory! If the manifolds are warped, they make gaskets for that!
1] NO - unless the guides are scuffed.
2] I would, springs - especially if you've high miles! Break one, and there's a chance the valve will fall into the combustion chamber - RIP motor!
3] You can re-use the bolts - clean them well, especially the threads.
4] I'd use a Fel-Pro kit.

Personally, I'd rather pull the motor than do the heads in the car, with or without A/C - less time 'bent over' and you're able to get at everything!!
Might want to have an exhaust shop check that leak - probably the donut or heat riser at the end of the manifold!

 

As said the machine shop only does what is told to them with the heads but you can get a cleanup mill on the exhaust side and combustion side. Most likely it is your exhaust manifold that needs to be resurfaced.

 

Yeah I had planned on the machine shop milling them

Unfortunately it seemed to be the actual heads when I used a steel straight edge they were the ones with the gap :-(
Thanks so much for the information guys.

 

If the heads are coming off A valve job would consist of refaceing the valves if stems are not worn and valves still good, machining/cutting the seats, cleaning the heads with new core plugs installed. New springs are recommended and valve stem seals for sure and keepers. Guides will be checked for wear. A cleanup mill on the head gasket side is usually done. The exhaust manifold side has plenty of room for milling. Some even have them cut so center divider is flush with manifold surface. On the BB Olds I have found this procedure makes header fit much better.

 

Once again thanks. I might consider looking at some Aluminum heads if I can find a decent price for them.

 

To that I would have to say why? It will be more costly for sure. The engine will not have a stock appearance. I do not think the alum heads are designed for stock small block engines. You would need all new valvetrain..... and the deterrants go on and on.