Hi All,

I can get some STI V5 heads,but this is what the seller wrote to me,does it matter?
And do someone know what two exhaustvalves cost?

"Bad news
there is a fracture line between the spark plug thread and both inlet valves,on no 1,2and 3 .
6 fractures in total.
These are hair line cracks and they arent easy to notice but they are there.

I dont think they where making a difference to the running of the car.

The melting piston on cyl 2,has left specs of melted metal on the the valves,but it hasnt pitted the head."

Opinion,can i still use these heads??

Thanks,
Skassa

 

that's quite a lot of cracks. I have mentioned this a few times with my own experiences. I have one head I won't use as the cracks seem quite wide to me. But even then I only see one or two per head. My own heads that went back onto the car had a few small cracks between inlet valve seat and plug hole. Any cracks on the exhaust valve I would be more wary of due to the extra heat, and the fact that it's a much longer crack.

Paul

 

Okay Thanks,

I think i will take them,

Any other info,before i buy them,as i can´t get spares for them here in Denmark

Thanks
Skassa

 

I would not touch them with a bargepole! Cracks can only get worse, they are not going to cure themselves and are potential hotspots. Cracks are a sure sign of serious overheating, so there may also be the possibility of distortion.
johnD

 

I just think i saw ones that must of the STI heads have these cracks after they have been used,but there was no problems with it.....

Skassa

 

John,

If that's how you feel you should probably throw away you current heads. The cracks are very common, but their nature is not to spread due to the their exact location and nature.

The problem, is that if the cracks expand the valve seat will fall out, this is not good as you can probably imagine.

Paul

 

It the cracks just a common issue on the STI heads or is it also a problem on the GT/WRX models?

 

Cracks like this are ONLY EVER seen by us on V5 or V6 heads and within common sense are non threatening and we generally take no notice of them. ALL heads on our rebuilt engines are pressure tested to the nth degree and we have never condemned any.............. yet !

If you adopted a zero tolerance zone for these heads you'd replace every one of them.

Hang on, I could get rich here !! yep!!, it's definitely a problem and you should all buy new heads from me immediately

David API

 

LOL david,

I take it´s not a problem then,

Thanks,
Skassa

 

Tolerance of cracks in a such a heat based component does surprise me! Are they really cracks or maybe just surface fissures? (uneven cooling rates during casting?) The thought of loosening valve seat inserts did cross my mind!
You live and learn!
JohnD