What's the history here? How long have you owned the car? The problem was the fiber head gaskets, not the head itself, unless someone got it really hot at some point.

I would expect at this late date that the head gasket had already been changed. The originals didn't last too long.

I always have my heads cleaned, pressure-checked, checked for straightness and valves and seats ground. What you should get back from the machine shop is a viable head that is ready to go.

The head bolts are torque-yields, and as such are supposed to be used just once. In reality, I often reuse them with no problems. But then the replacements are not a lot of money. Use your judgement.

As mentioned above, change the timing belt, cam seals, cam sensor gasket and water pump.


Master, again and still