I was given a 216 head said to be NOS. It’s covered in surface rust after being stored indoors 70+ years. If it were to be installed would it require any major machine shop work or could it simply be cleaned up with a wire brush and a bit of light sandpaper? Might be a couple of dirtdauber nests that would need cleaning out too.
Chuck 1950 Chevy 1/2 ton (all original) 1951 Chevy 1/2 ton (future streetrod) 1941 Chevy coupe 1938 Chevy coupe streetrod
I'd give it a good cleanup and ask a local machine shop to do a magnaflux inspection. Even though it's supposed to be "new", 216 heads were notorious about getting heat cracks. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. Ernest Hemingway
The machine shop should be able to clean that right up. The one I use disassembles it, puts in their engine block "washing machine" before doing any testing. Comes back ready for paint.
Jerry, I’d have never suspected a cracked NOS head! It’s never been bolted onto a block! Thanks though for letting me know it’s possible. I’ll ask a machine shop how much they would charge to give it a good cleaning.
Thanks
Chuck 1950 Chevy 1/2 ton (all original) 1951 Chevy 1/2 ton (future streetrod) 1941 Chevy coupe 1938 Chevy coupe streetrod
If you're sure it's never ben run, that's a different story. Some folks have a habit of confusing the terms "very low mileage" with "new old stock". Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. Ernest Hemingway
That and you dont know haw that head was handled over the years. Was it stored standing up, did it ever fall over and possibly crack? I know its nos, but if that is rust on those springs and retainers, they are not worth saving. Same for the valves. If they are really rusty, they will likely need replacement. Frankly, to use that head, if it passes magnaflux inspection, it will need a standard going over just like any other rebuild. On the other hand, you have a head that is not full of trash and has not been messed with so should build rather nicely.
