Cascade Crew

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

Looking at picking up a used set of 416s to replace my 882s on my 327. How do I go about looking them over to make sure they are good? What signs of wear do I look for and where are spots prone to issues?

chevymad · Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 7:14 pm Post subject:

Look for cracks around the exhaust seats especially between the valves. Also look for cracks around the water ports on the deck, especially in the middle of the head. The valves themselves should NOT be flush or sunken into the head. They should stick up a little. If they're flush or worse the seat has sunk. Check for wobble at the spring retainer, easier without the springs installed. Valves should be fairly tight. Look for any obvious damage. If you have a real good metal straight edge lay it across the head surface straight and diagonally both ways. It should be flat.. if its warped it may have been overheated.

Do all that and you should know if you have a good core. If you pull the valves and look to see how wide the seats are you could tell if you need a valve job. Also pour water in the combustion chamber and see if the valves leak into the ports.