Machine Shop Recommendation

[Tommy]

Hi everyone.

The head gasket on my 96 blew, 125k miles. I'm looking for a recommendation on a machine shop to have the head resurfaced.

Anyone have a bad experience replacing the head gasket on a high-mileage 1.8? The shop I took it to for the diagnosis (NTB in Rockwall) will not replace the head gasket because (their words) putting a refurbished head on an old block can cause problems due to performance mismatch of the "new" head and old block. Anyone ever have or hear about this happening?

Thanks

[sammm]

Unless the block is warped (don't know if that's possible or not), that sounds like BS to me.

[POS Racing]

The shop I took it to for the diagnosis (NTB in Rockwall)

There is your problem - NTB really? Heck my local NTB has issues just mounting tires I don't think I'd trust them with Engine work. YMMV

[Rogue]

I have done plenty.
Assuming the head is in good nick,
You can just have the head trued, and put back on.

[Tommy]

Unless the block is warped (don't know if that's possible or not), that sounds like BS to me.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Thanks man.

[Tommy]

I need to find a better shop.

[Tommy]

Thanks, that gives me confidence. The car ran well before the head gasket blew, but since I have the head off, I was going to have the valve seals changed when I have it resurfaced. Any recommendations to the contrary?

[Titus]

You might want to consider getting a rebuilt head from CHI in Grand Prairie.
http://www.shop.headsonly.com/MAZDA-...TA-18-DOHC.htm

[Mark52]

Once you find a good machine shop in your part of the world, have them skim the head and do a valve job, too. At the very least, lap the valves in if not a full valve job.

[Rogue]

By the time you do all that, your within a few hundred of a JDM 40k engine.
Swapping heads and swapping engines is just about the same labor.
On a 100k + engine, something to consider.

[Tommy]

You might want to consider getting a rebuilt head from CHI in Grand Prairie.
http://www.shop.headsonly.com/MAZDA-...TA-18-DOHC.htm

Interesting idea, thanks, Titus.

[Tommy]

By the time you do all that, your within a few hundred of a JDM 40k engine.
Swapping heads and swapping engines is just about the same labor.
On a 100k + engine, something to consider.

Yeah... I lack the necessary tools (hoist, stand, etc.) and experience. And, time. This is my son's daily driver - have to get him back on the road. Good suggestion, though.

[insertname]

Wells racing(fancy) or blaines motor supply (in the ghetto)

[OZMDD]

I've had good luck with Blaines for SBC stuff, but never used them for import work. Anyone have direct experience?