Cost of rebuilding 345 heads

ronmc1954

ronmc1954

Member
Hey guys, I had a set of heads for a 345 that I got out of a loadstar, well I took them into a shop to see about bringing them into spec so I could put them on my 74 Scout this summer when I do some work on the engine. I got a call from them today and they said it needed all exhaust valves, seats and guides. Which it might, but they did not look all that bad for what ever thats worth. He proceeded to tell me it would cost $900 does that sound right? Seems way high to me. It's been a while since I have had some rebuilt but it was no where near that much.

Ron
 
Sounds high to me. I would pick them up and all loose parts. Inspect them and see if it makes sence.

The exhaust valve stems and guides on the sv's do wear the quickest. Seats can be cut.
 
That pricing sounds extremely high to me ron.

My local machine shop does four cylinder heads for $125 each with basic valve and seat machining. The actual cleaning process is $25 each additional. I don't have an itemization of costs for seat inserts, guide work, etc. From them though.

The valve seats in these heads are exceptionally high quality, I've yet to actually see a head that could not have the valve seat cut without being replaced. New replacement valves are no more costly than for any other engine.

The biggest issue with 345 heads is cracking from a valve seat across to the spark plug port, I have several of those that makes 'em non-useable in my world.
 
Thanks for the input guys, yea my mouth fell open when he said 900. There are pictures of these heads at the following post: post #27
http://www.forums.IHPartsAmerica.com/gas-engine-tech/949-loadstar-1600-345-a-2.html

They have been worked on before so I was not expecting to spend a lot of money, but could that possibly mean the seats have been ground to much? You can also tell a few of the valves seat way down in the seat so I was expecting to have to replace a few valves.

I also just looked around and I could probably buy a valve grinding machine for less than 900, not that I would know how to use it. Lol

ron
 
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Unfortunately exhaust valve seat recession is not uncommon on an older engine designed to run on leaded fuel. I suspect the low seating position is due to unleaded fuel and hard running. Possible the seat has been cut to far but the machinist would have to grind on it for a while to sink it very far.

If only certain seats are a problem, only those would need to be replaced or if your heads have no inserts now only machine and install those.

Valves are not that steep a price to add up to 9 bones.
I'd find a different shop.
 
During a rebuild on an 1972 IH 345 engine would it be benificail to look for newer heads that are desinged to run unleaded fuel? Or should I ask what year did IH start using valve parts designed for unleaded fuel?
 
eagle-Mark said:
during a rebuild on an 1972 IH 345 engine would it be benificail to look for newer heads that are desinged to run unleaded fuel? Or should I ask what year did IH start using valve parts designed for unleaded fuel?
Click to expand...

I am not sure what year but your idea about newer heads is just what I did except I went a little farther that that. I found a complete 345 with 727 and transfer case for 600. The 345 is out of a 79 and looks to be in real good shape, the tranny has 2k on a complete rebuild.
Currently in the process of re-gasketing and painting the motor. Here's a link to another post about the motor.
http://www.forums.IHPartsAmerica.com/gas-engine-tech/6026-aquired-another-345-tranny-tc.html

Ron
 
I seen some on ebay for $200.00, I know that could be scary but might be worth contacting the guy. Look it up on ebay.
 
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