What's the average cost of a valve job today?

 

Here in the DC area, it seems to be about $200/head at a machine shop for two valve heads. I assume you are talking about dropping the heads off and reinstalling them yourself. Of course, that depends on parts needed, etc. The biggest problem I've had is that no one has a real hot tank anymore, since the caustic solution destroys aluminum. Since most motors today are aluminum, shops use steam cleaners. This obviously doesn't get the rust out of the cooling jacket on iron heads.

 

Valve job was $250 on a Serdi last time I paid for one. Guides will typically run you $8-12/each if they need to be replaced. Cleaning and checking can be $75-150 depending if they mag or pressure test, the cleaning being a bake and blast. Then there's surfacing, and hopefully no seat replacement required (which is rare on running heads that haven't been exposed to water).

 

I was quoted around 900.00. They said they have to replace intake valves and guides. That is including having them decked. Am I being taken for a ride?