As I've said before I've never really worked on the valves or heads of a car. My elky needs a vavle job. I just needed to know what i have to do to prepare my block for this. Its a 76 with the 350 engine and 4bbl carburetor. It has one completely burnt vavle. Do I need to replace this with a part from the junkyard prior to it being machined? Do I need to make sure none of my heads have major cracks before taking it in? And finally, about how much will it cost just to have it machined? I appriciate the help.

dont wase your time and only do 1 head take them both in should b 500 or less if you do the work

If the heads are the original ones, its better to pull both of them, take them to an engine machine shop. They will strip them, put them in a vat, magnaflux them for cracks, if no cracks are found, they will surface them, install new valves, guides and seats and seals. (have them install new springs as well) Also get them to tap your exhaust bolt holes, or repair (helicoil) as needed. Clean your block with scotch brite, being sure to stuff rags are something on top of the pistons and keep as much trash out as possible. Install the new head gaskets dry (no gasket sealant) make sure no water ports are covered in the block. Be sure you put the heads on the correct side. Passenger side should have 1 drilled hole towards the radiator, driver side 3 drilled holes toward the radiator (for brackets). Torque the heads starting from the inside bolts, working out. Same applies if you have exhaust manifolds vesus headers. Bolt the exhaust manifold on losely, tighten the 2 center bolts first and work out to the ends, alternating bolts front to back until the manifold is tight. They tend to warp so start in the middle and work out. Don,t forget new exhaust gaskets.

My $0.02 is...

If the heads are original 76 year, trash them rebuild the lower half before you put new head on. If you just go with a valve job rebuild the lower half, at least new rings but go with it all.

The heads on that 76 are tiny and don't have good flow rates. Also they are limited to around 5000 RPM by the springs which are worn out by now.

My suggestion is to contact Jim Pace Performance parts, get a new set of Vortec heads that are modified to fit older engines (pre 90 stuff) that way you don't have to ditch the intake and a couple of other parts. They have tremendous performance improvements over old stock head and have better flow rates than the old "Camel Hump" heads. A set of heads complete ready to bolt on will run about 500.00. You could end up spending that much on the valve job if they are really screwed up.

If you don't rebuild the bottom half you will probably end up pulling out the engine and doing it in the not so distant future. The added compression and what have you will degrade the rings very quickly. After all it is a 76 model.

Like I said that is my advise. :onfire: :satisfied:

If they have never been redone, it might be worth it to have them gone though. I was pleased with mine when I had them built( milled, 3 angle valve job & mild port & polish). They have around 170,000 on them now so when I go install another 350 I will install new or different heads.

I agree with ElkyPete. Chances are if you need your heads redone, you'll need an engine rebuild also...or soon will. Maybe you should check into buying a complete GM crate motor if you plan on keeping your Elky for awhile and your not experienced enough to rebuild your 350 or don't have the time. Rebuilding it yourself doesn't require a Masters Degree in Rocket Sciencetry, but crate motors do help avoid migranes and greasy fingernails. :lol: