Thread: 400 small block !!!!! having some head issues and need some advice

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As has been said, it all depends on the machine shops that you have to choose from, their ability to do quality work and how they price this specific job. If they're pricing high then you might buy a set of new, matched heads for about the same as you'll pay to have yours re-done, but if they're already set up for the job and want to toss you a good deal you might get it done for a song and be ready to go again. I think Pat's point that sometime in the past one head got replaced is likely the case, and can't see that it would be any problem, but I'm not a machinist.
If you're not in a hurry you might see if a shop is willing to hold your heads until they have a "run" of SBC heads, and take advantage of someone else paying the setup time, or at least sharing. Sometimes a flexible schedule can be of value.