tearing heads down

[rattlehead_74]

Hey guys Im getting ready to tear the heads down on my 440. Is there any do`s and dont`s while im doing this? Will it hurt to clean the valves up while im waiting to get the heads back? What should i use? Ive never messed with heads before so im looking for as much help as i can get. Thank You

[carolina charger]

 I'd want to send the valves along with the heads so that they can be lapped.

[moparguy762]

Hey man if you really wnat to do the head work yourself I sugest you remove the heads from the car first. Your going to need a valve spring compressor and a new valve seal kit. You want to compress the springs with the compressor remove the keepers carefully, a magnet makes it easier release the pressure on the spring and the valve will come out. Take extra care when releasing the spring presure it can break a finger. Now this is important when you pull out the valve when it is flush with the head cover the hole with your finger tightly and pull the valve out the rest of the way. It should make a poping kind of a sound if it doesnt your valve guides are worn and need to be replaced. Also it couldnt hurt anything to clean up your valves up before reinstalling. Once you have the head stripped find a machine shop who can give an acid bath also if the valve guides are worn thiey can replace them for you all at once. After you get the head back same process just in reverse. Your valve goes back into the head seal goes on top of the head followed by the spring retainer compress t\he spring and reinstall the keepers. note a dab of grease on the insde of the keeper will hold it in place while you place the second half. One more thing DO NOT MIX up your intake and exaust valves or the springs that go with them suggest you label them. Trust me you dont want to put an exaust spring on an intake valve BAD NEWS Hope that helps you man and dont be afraid to get forceful with it you wont break anything in a head. also if you wanted to port and polish the machine shop could do that to. GOOD LUCK.

[rattlehead_74]

Thank You moparguy762 so do i just use a wire wheel to clean the valves up or something else? i would like to clean the tops of the pistons also to inspect them  ..just a wire brush? scotch brite??? again thanks for the help

[John_Kunkel]

What are you going to do with these heads?

Most used Mopar heads suffer from sloppy valve guides, if the guides need replacement so do the valves so there's no sense cleaning parts that are going to the scrap pile.

[rattlehead_74]

I still need to take them to the shop to have them magnafluxed,,think the drivers side one may be cracked...she ran great though..just need to verify this and put it all back together...btw the machine shop theyll be going to is Chenoweth speed and machine...anyone heard of them?

[cryotek]

Dale does awesome work and knows his sh#$T.  I have one of  their engines in my charger and the thing is awesome.  Dale wont steer you wrong.  Their machine shop is as clean as a operating room and their machines and tools are the best. 

[rattlehead_74]

Who is dale?   and wheres he located???  Thank You

[cryotek]

Dale and Mike Chenoweth.  Chenoweth SPeed and Machine in Morton Ill.