[J.C.you]

Originally Posted by 54nomore

I think he's beyond that. if you look at the right hand slot in his second picture, it's pretty worn out.

Weld?

[mgarblik]

I would like to see those slip over the stud guides as well. Sounds like a simple solution with hardened push rods. Very simple.

[Dauntless1971]

I checked the studs with a two foot level and all appeared to be in a straight line at least on the drivers side. The toughest part for me is finding a machine shop close to me that knows about working on Pontiac engines. I am good with getting the heads machined and guide plates installed. I figure full roller rockers that can be used on my 400 block once it gets built/paid for. I suppose I will also need a adjustable pushrod once heads are reworked. Hopefully the backordered status on so many parts will die down soon.

[tom s]

Still in sealed packages hope you can see.Tom

[Dauntless1971]

I have a budget dial indicator gauge so I checked the distance outside to outside between intake and exhaust studs. One was 2.23 inches a couple were 2.24 inches and the rest measured out 2.25 inches. Not sure if that is enough to warrant adjustable guide plates. Still trying to find information on how tall of studs I will need for use with polylocks.

[25stevem]

Butler sells the needed special studs without a hex bottom that is long enough to work with poly locks.

If you want a hex base rocker stud then ARP 290-7201 work with poly locks.

[Dauntless1971]

Originally Posted by 25stevem

Butler sells the needed special studs without a hex bottom that is long enough to work with poly locks.

If you want a hex base rocker stud then ARP 290-7201 work with poly locks.

Yes I have checked out everything Butler offers. Seems to me I will have to remove at least one of the studs installed now, before ordered any new studs when I do not know if the 093 heads have 7/16 or 1/2 base threads.

[b-man]

Originally Posted by Dauntless1971

Yes I have checked out everything Butler offers. Seems to me I will have to remove at least one of the studs installed now, before ordered any new studs when I do not know if the 093 heads have 7/16 or 1/2 base threads.

They’re 1/2-13 threads unless someone used 7/16-14 Heli-Coil inserts. I had the 7/16-14 Heli-Coils installed in my heads so I would be able to use readily available rocker studs rather than expensive 1/2” bottom 7/16” top thread conversion studs.

Your guide slots are shot. Trying to machine those slots to an oversize to accommodate a larger diameter pushrod makes absolutely no economic sense, the cost of machine work would shock you along with the cost of custom pushrods.

None of the factory guide plates will fit if you decide to try to use those #093 heads, the valve spacing and hence the rocker stud spacing is wider on heads factory equipped with guide plates. Adjustable aftermarket SBC guide plates are your only choice here, they will fit with 5/16” pushrods and compensate for the narrower stud spacing on your 389 heads.

So you’re in for cutting down the guide bosses, drilling out the old worn guide slots, new rocker studs with the hex to retain guide plates, adjustable guide plates and new pushrods and rockers. The threads in the heads might be too shallow after cutting down the bosses, so there’s that to consider, most likely more added cost. And at this juncture you don’t even know if the valves and guides are in good condition.

This is really adding up, if cost is a factor then stop right here and get a set of virgin 326 heads and simply do a normal freshening on them and use stock valvetrain components.

To properly refurbish your #093 heads you’re going to be into them for somewhere between $1000 and $1500. I know this from personal experience, I spent around $1500 back in 2015 doing everything right using all new components along with converting to screw in studs and hardened exhaust seats on my 1964 9770716 421 HO heads.

My heads were in nice shape and had no unforeseen issues or abnormal wear other than the need to install a few intake valve seats due to pitting that wouldn’t clean up during the valve job. The heads you’re dealing with are far from being ready to run after doing a normal valve job and resurfacing.

Linked below is the cost breakdown for the entire 421 engine build, you can cherry pick through it see what typical labor and parts costs are to do the heads up right. The stainless valves I used had to be cut down in head diameter since the sizes used on the early heads aren’t available in that material, adding cost.

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...6&postcount=39

[b-man]

<crickets>

[Dauntless1971]

Originally Posted by b-man

<crickets>

That sounds right. Not much out there. If it is going to be another grand to repair these these 093 heads I am not going to do that. So it's a waited game for something to be available. I did find a set of 64 389 heads but would need a 63-64 intake. Bad choice to buy this engine it looks like.

[shermanator2]

I still have the pair of #140 heads that you can have for free sitting in San Diego.

[Dauntless1971]

Very nice but close to a thousand miles away.

[pro-tour79]

b-man are those altered height retainers or did someone put Std. 7* locks in a set of super 7 or 10* retainers? the locks seem to sit awfully low.

[b-man]

Originally Posted by pro-tour79

b-man are those altered height retainers or did someone put Std. 7* locks in a set of super 7 or 10* retainers? the locks seem to sit awfully low.

Honestly not sure but i doubt they’re anything unusual. They’re ISKY retainers and locks supplied by Dougan’s who are a highly regarded and well known machine shop.

Full listing of parts used including part numbers when applicable shown here:
https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...6&postcount=39

I was hands off on this build. I supplied a lot of the parts but did zero labor and was over 100 miles away during the build. Anything needed that I didn’t supply at the start was either supplied by the machine shop or drop shipped to the builder.

[Dauntless1971]

I have for the most part put this 326 on ice for now. Since I live very close to BFE, Portland Oregon is my best hope for finding another set of heads it seems being only about 4.5 hours away. Though I did find some 76 heads available in Seattle for just one C note but that is like 8 hour drive. Also two other sets of 76 heads one is all stock still installed 350 shipped to my front door. And another set that has screw-in studs install and single valve guide plates, not the interlock style available now. No other reusable parts for 450 shipped. From the photo I can not tell if the bosses were machined or not.

[25stevem]

Yes there where cut and tapped for those screw in studs, and the intake valve guides where cut for positive seals.

This means that if you do not have the exh guides cut the same way then you are forced into using valves like the stockers with two top grooves, the stock retainers that except the O-rings and also the stock oil splash shield.

There’s no problem in running the stock stuff if you have it, but it will limit the valve lift you can run and the ID and OD of the valve springs you can use.