Farm Equipment - D17 head, what to do

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D17 head, what to do

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URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=19334
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Topic: D17 head, what to do

Posted By: sks72107
Subject: D17 head, what to do
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2010 at 3:19pm

OK so in the process of rebuilding my d17 gasser that i recently acquired and am very proud of, even though i have only drove it for about 10 minutes. Pulled the head due to zilch compression on one cylinder and it was obvious one exhaust valve seat decided to let go. It beat up the head pretty good. Anyhow sent it away to Napa,(the same guy that said my crank could not be welded) so they could send it to their head specialists for a QUOTE on a repair. Week later napa calls me and says it will cost me $321 and it will need all seats replaced and some cracks(2) repaired. I say, wow, and ill get back with you in a few days. (Mind you the words PRICE QUOTE were exchanged during the conversations several times.) So i called napa today telling them to send the head back to me, and ill go another route. And he responds with oh uhhhhhhh, the specialist already repaired said head. And he admitted i did not give them the go ahead to repair the head. He said he would "charge me what its worth to me". Im new to this. Do i really want a repaired head on my tractor that had cracks?? Whats your thoughts on this subject?? I am also ranting. I think i can get a reman. for $375 ish, with new guides and the like. Or find a good used one for whatever and replace guides and re-cut seats if need be. argggg.

Shannon

Replies:

Posted By: DonDittmar
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2010 at 3:26pm

If the people that fixed it were good engine machinsts and knew what they were doing, then there is nothing wrong with a repaired head. I have a JD 720 diesel with a head on it that had a cracked and was pinned repaired. The only way you can see it is with magna flux. I would run make him an offer on the repairs and put it back together.

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Experience is a fancy name for past mistakes. "Great moments are born from great opportunity"

1968 D15D,1962 D19D
Also 1965 Cub Loboy and 1958 JD 720 Diesel Pony Start

Posted By: mlpankey
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2010 at 3:28pm

whatever you are happy with . I have done to heads complete new guides valves and seats . guides where 60.00 valves were 28.00 a piece for exhaust the intake valve were 90.00 dollars for four . then the valve job and time to assemble valve springs titanium retainers and keepers etc. were verry expensive on my two heads. oh by the way both heads have holes repaired where i ported through .

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people if they don't already know it you can't tell them. quote yogi berra

Posted By: CTuckerNWIL
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2010 at 5:14pm

For $300, it better have all new valves and guides and no leaks. It should also be surfaced so both the manifold surface and the deck mating surface are FLAT. Otherwise I would tell them to buy me a replacement head that was in as good or better condition than the one you brought in.
I would also go to a different NAPA store or at least ask for a different person to wait on you next time. It used to be you could go into NAPA and tell them you wanted a whatchmagigger for you 39 Studebaker and they would look it up and find one for you. Now days they want you to tell them the specific part number or the VIN number of the original vehicle and then they let you decide if anything they have will work for you.

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http://www.ae-ta.com" rel="nofollow - http://www.ae-ta.com
Lena 1935 WC12xxx, Willie 1951 CA6xx Dad bought new, 1954WD45 PS, 1960 D17 NF

Posted By: d17brown
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2010 at 7:14pm

just had a head rebuilt for a 170 gas, 500$ no cracxks

Posted By: Brian Jasper co. Ia
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2010 at 7:51pm

I would offer to pay the $321 estimate. If they balk at that, say "I'll pay your price, but you have to guarantee it 24 months".

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"Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian." Henry Ford

Posted By: Creek Jenkins
Date Posted: 12 Oct 2010 at 12:58pm

Had my D17 head done last nov for $85. All new valves, springs, guides and the manifold side machined.

Guy never did tell me what the real cost was, he felt he owed me for some Buda parts we sold him. Wife and I took him out to dinner once (he is an older widower), I think I better call him again - looks like I owe him a few more dinners.

Creek

Posted By: sks72107
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2010 at 7:07am

Well, an update to this is that. The head was sent to Indy Cylinder head i believe in Indianapolis. It looks real good where they did their work. All new seats. Sounds like the valve guides were in spec. They did surface the bottom of the head but it does not look like they surfaced the intake/exhaust part. I made them an offer for $250 and that includes the cost of a reconditioned rod and they took it. Good deal for me i guess.

Shannon

Posted By: mlpankey
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2010 at 10:11am

yes if you gave 250 for indy cylinder head work you should feal guilty.

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people if they don't already know it you can't tell them. quote yogi berra