Stock 2005 6.0l engine with 70,000 miles, pulled the heads off and took them down to a head shop in town to be cleaned and refreshed. On visual inspection everything looked great, shop calls me next day to say both heads have the start of a hairline fracture between the valves. They weren't pressure checked mind you just looked at... Haven't been there to see what they are talking about yet, but is this common? I know head bolt locations are prone to cracking, but unless the seat pressure was high that area to me seems rare, unless overheated? Should I **** can the heads and buy a new set for cheap, because this will eventually become a boosted block, and I don't want something small to become something worse?! Might take the heads somewhere else for a second opinion.

 

I have a set of 317s that came off my lq4 with about 71k miles if it comes to that. Hope you get of fixed.

 

Thanks! They are pretty easy to find, but keeping my fingers crossed for now!

 

Weld it :p GL on the fix.

 

So went to check on the heads, and the machinist was able to massage the crack out of the metal. Said it was just a hairline fracture! Nice! He suggested brass Valve stems, anyone here use these?

 

Brass valve stems??? Do you mean brass Guides???

 

Lol... Oops guides!!

 

Is there something wrong with the originals???

 

Said they were worn enough to replace and said it was only a dollar more for brass, which he then said were easier on the valves than the originals. Which I guess brass would be, but I've never used them.. Good idea?

 

I don't see factory guides worn out with 70K on them. I have seen ones with 170K good to go another 100K... The machine shops will take every penny from you if you let them.