Small block heads

[Johnwalkeasy]

What,s a good way to tell if heads need to be rebuilt or not? Heads are off car. Thanks, John.

[thesals]

have the heads pressure checked to see if the valves or valve seals leak... costs about $35.... vissually you can check to the valve seals, if they look bad, they probably are.... if the valves look pretty bad, they probably should at least be cleaned and possibly recut....

[hambiskit]

I always take it for granted that a set of used heads need re-building- have them checked for cracks, the guides checked, the seals replaced, and the valve seats checked and re-lapped, and the springs checked for even pressures.
It's worth the few bucks to know that they are going to hold up.

[techinspector1]

If you're really, really, really on a budget, pour solvent into the intake ports and see if it seeps past the valves. Then do the exhaust ports. If the valves stay dry, use 'em. (but only if you're flat broke and need a running motor to get a job).

Jim has the answer. It just is not that costly to do it right.