Should I re-use this head? Or get a new one?

[Insomnia]

Backstory....

• BHG
• Got head off
• Noticed some corrosion on the exhaust side water jackets
• Took pics

Just wondering if I should make do with this head or search out a new one based on these pics. All the exhaust side waterjackets look similiar.

EDIT: The block is in good condition. No such corrosion comparable to what's on the head.

 

[IJ.]

Hardness test it first, ditto on a replacement BEFORE handing over the $.

 

[Flateric]

That to me looks like galvanic corrosion. Which can be caused by essentially a electrolisis type reaction within you water jacket. Is your rad by any chance touching the frame of your car? For instance not mounted all on it's factory rubber mounts? Course this could also be a advanced case of the acidity of the coolant being contaminated during the BHG situation.

Regardless I personally would not use that head simply because looking at that picture the corrosion is so advanced it appears to have actually altered the size of the water jacket. and you can't really know for sure how much the water jackets have been affected in other none visible areas of the head inside it.

Just not worth the future risk of the unknown with that head. It could be just fine, but who knows. Also not sure if the head gasket would be as effective considering the water port pictured seems to have no "sharp" or clearly defined shape to it that won't match the head gasket's hole obviously.

No on second thought there is no way I would use this head. The corrosion is so bad it is even approaching the exterior of the block. So inside it I bet is not better.

That head has had it's day and shouldn't be used ever again, IMO.

 

[Insomnia]

Also not sure if the head gasket would be as effective considering the water port pictured seems to have no "sharp" or clearly defined shape to it that won't match the head gasket's hole obviously.

This is pretty much my main concern. The radiator itself seems to not be touching anything, but I could be wrong. I'm assuming the head gasket had been blown for a while before I got the car since the vehicle was not running in great shape when my friend sold it to me. I got it for a song so i'm not too worried about it.

So the consensus is that I should start with a head in better condition? I'm for it as I do not look forward to taking this head off again in the near future due to another blown head gasket. I'd rather be driving it

 

[Flateric]

Another question is......how does the block look if the corrosion is that bad? Are you sure your block is ok too? It may have survived better due to being cast steel. Have a good close look at it too.

 

[Flateric]

I personally wouldn't put this head in my car, but wait and see some more opinions. But now way I'd use it.

 

[Insomnia]

Another question is......how does the block look if the corrosion is that bad? Are you sure your block is ok too? It may have survived better due to being cast steel. Have a good close look at it too.

Block looks fine. A nice decking is all it needs to make it road worthy.

I can post some more pics if it helps.

 

[Jimbo]

+1 on replacing it.
looks like a BHG waiting to happen.

 

[CyFi6]

wow that is a LOT of corrosion! I bet the sealing rings of the head gasket wouldn't even properly surround the ports.

 

[91supran/a]

mine looked just like that it woulda cost me as much to have it fixed then i payed for a remaned one from clearwater heads in florida.... i dident have any issues with the head i got all torque was right on caps exhaust stud holes where allready helicoiled everything went on easy.. cams looked brandnew no scaring or anything looked great only thing is that it dosent come with any studs which i just went ahead and bought new ones for it... and i had to install cam seals since it dident come with any... he even payed to ship the old one back heres the link i highly recomened going that root...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOYO...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

---------- Post added at 10:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:42 PM ----------

heres my build thread if you are instrested in seeing what mine looked like...
http://www.supramania.com/forums/showthread.php?123769-89-turbo-build-and-bhg-repair

---------- Post added at 10:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:43 PM ----------

one more thing if your wondering bout since it says 7mGE not GTE i called and talked to him for bout an hour on the phone and he brought it up not me as i repeat he brought it up that he was told that the turbo cams were difrent and he said he went and bought 7mgte cams from this forum and bought a set of 7mge cams from this forum and measered everything about them and said there was not a single difrence in them....

 

[BrandonW]

one more thing if your wondering bout since it says 7mGE not GTE i called and talked to him for bout an hour on the phone and he brought it up not me as i repeat he brought it up that he was told that the turbo cams were difrent and he said he went and bought 7mgte cams from this forum and bought a set of 7mge cams from this forum and measered everything about them and said there was not a single difrence in them....

http://www.supramania.com/forums/showthread.php?1852-na-cam&p=18710&viewfull=1#post18710

http://www.supramania.com/forums/showthread.php?8656-NA-cams-anyone&p=89618&viewfull=1#post89618

 

[Insomnia]

New head bought locally. Mods feel free to close the thread.

Thanks to everyone for your help.