Date:         Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:58:58 -0800
Reply-To:     David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      AMC Cylinder Head Question
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2007121317060118@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

I have a pair of used AMC heads pulled from a parts vanagon.
I am about to begin to rebuild my 84's 1.9 WBXer with these two
heads. I have a few questions about these heads before I put
them on.

The heads have two metal caps at the bottom side of them. If you
look at the heads at their installed position the upper side has
the intake and spark plug holes. The bottom side has the two metal
caps, one is held in position by a screw and the other is in there
by itself.

Well, one the two AMC heads has one cap that is plugged up by
some kind of epoxy that looked like aluminum. My guess is that the
original cap leaked and it was repaired. Whoever did the repair
used the epoxy to plug it up. I can not see if the original cap
is still in there or not. It seems that it did the job before I
pulled them off from the parts van. But I am really concerned if
it will eventually develop a coolant leak that will require
a tear down of the engine again.

Any suggestions as to how to fix it correctly once for all? Is
there such metal caps available from anywhere? How is it installed?
This is the cap that is not held in position by a screw. Should
I send it to a machine shop to get it re-capped?

BTW, the pair of AMC heads look in very good shape. There is no
crack, warpage or any visible sign of problems (except the cap).
I have lapped all the valves and they seem all seal pretty well.

Any help is appreciated.

David



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