How much should it cost to fix a loose valve seat?

I would bet that the big expense (time if your doing it yourself) would be removing it. Although there are many folks that can have the engine out in 20 minutes or less.

I would do a "while your in there". Have the head fully checked out, maybe change all the seats, weld up any cracks, upgrade stuff that could be upgraded, etc....

Would anyone HIGHLY NOT recommend rebuilding 1 head vs both?

Doesn't answer your question, but a rebuild head cost me $800, and that included Ham's deep seats, new valves, guides, springs, etc.... If it has been a while since you have done anything to the head, you could be saving yourself 3 more seat failures done 1 at a time.

Good luck.

What are these and where would I get some?

You know that Jake and Len Hoffman (HAM) have been working on engines and heads for years? Either they came up with it, or just found it to be a nice upgrade, but IIRC Len will cut the notch for the seat deeper, then the installed valve seat has more head to hold on to. I took pictures of mine, let me see if I can find a shot. Here is Len's webpage

As I mentioned it has been about 3 years since he did mine. He may have stopped rebuilding, you should call him tho.


broken seat
Click to view attachment

deep seat
Click to view attachment

Have both heads done. The guys I use will do them for a flat fee. I don't recall what that number is, but it's probably in the $1500 + range, plus any valves and springs you might need. Try Engine Machine Service in Inglewood, (310) 641-7019.

The Cap'n

Heat (either heat/cool cycles, or overheating) is the main reason that valve seats get loose. Both heads are subjected to pretty similar heat conditions. So it is false economy to not pull both heads and have all four intake seats done, at a minimum.

Replacing the seats means a new valve job, of course. And it would be silly not to replace the valve guides while the valves are out. And the valves should be checked to see if they need to be replaced.

And, of course, the heads can crack--it seems like most 2.0 heads are cracked somewhere, so those need to be cut out and weld built up so they can be brought back to the original shape. At the very least, the heads should be inspected for cracks...

It isn't hard to spend several grand on that work.

The price goes up a fair bit higher if you're not the one turning the wrenches.

--DD

you can also buy new heads if you get close to the 2k mark....

rich

Thanks for all the info and suggestions guys!

That is for one head right? so both would be like $1600...
Was that sending it to HAM?

Thanks again!

Yes 1600 for both. Funny thing is the whole car cost me 1300 and the heads were 1600. They are important tho.

what the cap'n said…BOTH HEADS. inquire with len hoffman whether or not he is still doing (essentially rebuilding) used t-4 heads.

Start calling your local machine shops. Last time I went in the seat was about 50$ installed and the cut was 8$. That was on a 2004 Viper.