I need a head job

Well, actually my 308 does. My leak down test shows one cylinder (driver's side front back) at 80% through the exhaust valve(s), the rest are all about 20%. The car is using 1 qt every 300 miles. I'm doing a search on Fchat for the overall procedure for pulling the heads and getting them rebuild. I plan to do all the grunt work - R&R, cam timing, etc. and would send the heads out locally for the heavy duty stuff (check valves, new guides & seals and?). But I would still like to read up on as much as possible before pulling the engine, which I plan to do to make things easier overall.
I'd appreciate any help pointing me to threads on the subject. Mainly the re-installation of the heads, distributors, shimming and cam timing procedures.
Also, who in Los Angeles is good to send the heads out to and what should they do vs. me?
As always - thanks,
Bob R.

 

Maybe. FYI - My compression readings and leak downs were as follows:

Front bank (driver to passenger side)

140/80% - 180/17% - 165/22% - 175/18%

Rear bank

180/20% - 180/19% - 174/25% - 165/22%

BTW - what is the exact cylinder # of each location? Both banks are labeled 1-4 & 4-1 (???)

 

Thanks Bruce. So what you are telling me is I should just hand him the heads with the cams still installed and he'll return them shimmed and ready to drop on the block?

What's a ballpark cost range and turn around time assuming 1-2 valves are also replaced???

 

Got it Steve, Thanks!

Question to you all: Based upon the data here, the 1 qt/300 mile oil consumption rate, the fact the engine may have 200K+ miles on it with no history of a major AND that (to me) it starts every time and runs great, would you dive into it for either a head job or (gulp) a bottom end rebuild now or just keep driving it.....and say, every 6 months, take compression and leak down readings to compare with the current ones and see if the numbers get worse before considering anything? If you say wait, then at what PSI or % leak down should I say enough!

 

Yes, I've been told that recently. But, I could see it from the driver's seat too. Came mainly from oil dripping on the exhaust manifold which I then found was due to loose manifold bolts (stud nuts). I cleaned up and tightened the assembly and ran it again last weekend - no more dripping or visible smoke from the driver's seat but I'll have a friend follow me on the next test run for the secondary smoking assessment.

 

Thanks Bruce. Speaking of parts, what's a good source for the guides and seals? Should I assume they all will need replacing or would they check and determine that and just change what's necessary?
Question, my QV probably has the nikasil/aluminum liners correct? If so, and they need to be replace/repaired, do I go with iron liners?
Bob

 

Is this a good deal from Rutland's?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190515379331&viewitem=&sspagename=ADME%3AB%3AWNASIF%3AUS%3A1123#ht_500wt_956

Or should I get mine done locally?

 

What about the guides? I'm burning oil like Kuwait during the Desert Storm conflict!