Cylinder Head Machining in San Diego

[rongroth]

It has been many years since I did the head gasket on my ‘93 (twice - 400k miles) and now my ‘95 needs it and I thought I’d check with folks in the San Diego area on a preferred machine shop. I don’t recall the name of the one I used in the past, but it was behind the Sports Arena. Any recommendations?

Also, on both of the previous times I had the head surfaced and the valves checked for leakage. The valves were 100% good so I didn’t have valve jobs done. (As a teenager I screwed up an unnecessary valve job using a bent guide and I figured if it ain’t broke why mess with them?) This hasn’t come back to bite me, but I now wonder what the common wisdom is. Does everyone have a valve job done as long as they are in there or leave it alone if no leakage?

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts!

 

[rongroth]

I did a quick search and I previously used the cleverly named Cylinder Head Services on Hancock. They were good and I’ll use them again, if no other recommendations are suggested.

I’d still like to hear folks perspective on a valve job’s necessity if no valve leakage detected. Thanks!

 

[ppc]

You certainly want to replace valve seals. I don't know what you consider a "valve job" but have you measured valve clearances? Decking the head is going to change those clearances and it is going less painful to have the machine shop shuffle or replace shims for you. Most would recommend lapping the valves which is not what I would considered a valve job. Only remaining item would valve replacements, a three angle grinding of the valve seats, replacement of valve guides.

 

[rongroth]

Cylinder Head Services and a couple of other shops in San Diego are no longer in business. I am using Quality Auto Machine in Kearny Mesa on Raytheon Rd.

 

[freshspecbluegt]

I used HDS Machine a couple of years ago and was happy with their work on the head and also had them media blast the upper manifolds.