Have 70 Challenger, 383 Magnum.

I guess these are the 906 heads.

Previous owner had rebuilt the engine , not sure what was done to heads.

A few years later, I think I have a blown head gasket.
I would have a shop do all the work, I am not physically able to do it.

If they remove one head, I assume both should be done.
Also, perhaps the valve seats need upgraded?
And what about a 3 angle valve job for more power.

I had one shop tell me on the phone about 2 grand just for two gaskets.

Ballpark figure and advice to be done.

Thanks

I know this isn't exactly the info you are looking for, but I got an estimate of $650 out the door to have my 906 heads redone. That's with me removing the heads, bringing them to the shop and then reinstalling myself.

Yes,you need to find a Reputable shop.If you were close,I would help you out.Maybe a Moparts member near you can help you,or recommend a good shop?

When the heads end up costing $1000-1400 (assuming worst case) I dont think $2K is out of line. Most of us do our own mechanical work on these cars but paying a repair shop to do specialty work I think that's reasonable. Labor for the heads R&R is probably only $400-500 of that (4-6hrs around here). The rest is the rebuild on the heads and the parts/materials. Head set, coolant, oil change, header gaskets if needed, valley pan... All adds up and you're paying the parts markup.

I have close to 1200 in my old iron heads.They were magged over size stainless valves vew guides sprins retainers valve job planed straight and opened up by my shop.My machinist will do a valve job for about 150.But they usually need parts in them.Labor to R&R is probally 5 to 6 hours.Thats at least 400 bucks.Rocky

Take apart, clean, inspect, and cut valves and seats 160 on cast iron original seats and 175 for cutting hard seats.

Add bronze wall guides 90

Add valve seats on exhaust 120

Surfacing 40 per head with the valve job

add valve seat bowl area clean up, not porting 100

add standard valve springs 75

Their are different variations to look at on cost when doing head work.

logan426

Yorker,
what are you capable of, and what makes you think the gasket is blown? Maybe we're putting the cart in front of the horse..

Thanks for the info. The qoute I got was 2,000- just to remove heads and replace head gaskets.
No head work included.

I need to try to see what is really wrong with the engine.

Long story, but interesting.

1994, I was trying to start the car after it was sitting about a month. Gasoline in tank was old and smelly.

I think that the same time it backfired, through the carb I think, the water pump popped open and the fan went into the radiator.

I pulled the fuel tank and left it off. Replaced the fan and water pump and had the radiator recored.

I then let it sit untill 2007, 13 years and then put water in the radiator and fired her up.

I did soak the cyclinders first with Marvel mystery oil.

Motor sounded good, but I could hear what sounded like water boiling just under the thermostat, and the upper radiator hose started to pulsate.

When the thermostat opens water will blow from the radiator opening.

It is the boiling sound that bother me.
I did not pull the plugs after starting it but that will be my next step.

I really want to get this car back on the road once more before I croak. Been sitting way to long.

Where in Houston are you located?

bad thermostate..

I would do a compression test on it. Pull all plugs, hold the throttle wide open and check each cylinder. If none of the cylinders are way out and if you're not getting water in your oil, I would look more for a cooling system problem.

For 2K Ill come down from Ohio to replace 2 head gaskets.Just for headgaskets with a shop buying all the parts Id say probally 800 tops.I agree it sounds like cooling problem.Did you change the stat?Id pull it and start it without the sta to see if it still boils.You can also fill the block with it out.Id also flush the block and pull the block drians first.Rocky

Ok, where was the car sitting? How long did you run it? Do you own a compression gage?

I think following simple diagnostics can tell you if the gasket's bad. You can buy a cheap compression gage for $15, and a coolant system pressure testor for $50. Either will tell you if there's a problem somewhere. I think $2K is way high for a simple head gasket job. The shop simply doesnt want the work (or perceived hassle). I was thinking like you said "fix it" and they were going to re-do the heads too.

Wow - $2K complete? $650 for heads cash and carry?

The shop I use charges $250 to rebuild a set of heads. Disassemble, clean, new guides, 3 angle valve job and reassemble.

Taking a set of 360 heads there next week. No extra charge to open up the valves seats for larger valves, plus he said he'll put a nice back-cut on the new valves.

Quote:

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The shop I use charges $250 to rebuild a set of heads. Disassemble, clean, new guides, 3 angle valve job and reassemble.

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I left out some details, so we aren't exactly comparing apples to apples with my estimate of $650.

3 angle valve job and new guides would run slightly over $300 at shop I spoke with.

Hardened valve seats was $125
Surfacing heads was $80
New exhaust valves about $100
Tax, etc and you are out the door minus roughly $650

2k to replace 2 head gaskets? Must be a Range Rover mechanic...........

If I was close, I'd be there this weekend to help you out! Is anyone close enough to give this Dude a hand? Two hours and a 12 pack will change head gaskets...if it even needs them!