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TR2/3/3A Cylinder head cleaning on a rebuilt head

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S

sp53

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I have a rebuilt head with new guides and valves, but it set in a shed for 40 years and rusted. I am thinking I cannot hurt it; I just need to remove those keeper deals and clean of the rust. However, I am not sure what to do exactly after i get it apart, and I do not want to damage something. So, any advice is much appreciate

steve
 

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Most decent machine shops can clean and check it for reasonable money. Looks like it might need skimming anyway. You can lap the valves by hand yourself. Take them out before you go the the shop.

Tom
 
I would consider that in need of a complete rebuild. Once the valves are out, it can be tanked, which will remove most of the rust. Then you will have a better idea of how much it needs. +1 on the decking. Then you can check the guides, valves and touch up the valve seats.

If there is still rust after the tanking, then you can sand or bead blast it to remove the rest.
 
Thanks Tom and John I appreciate it. Do I need to take special care of the area around where the valve seats go into the head? Also, if the guides are left in the head, would glass beading damage them? I am using marble sand in my blasting both. The sand is softer than silica which they do not sell in Washington State any more. Is there any reason why I cannot soak the head in WD40? The head does not have any rubber parts, like those rubber umbrellas I have seen on others

Steve
 
Perhaps you mean where the valves go on the seats? Yes, care should be taken. Valve to seat seal is critical. Likely the seats will at least need grinding. I believe some Tr3s had hardened seats as aftermarket replacements.
If the guides have rust I would certainly replace them. Valve to guide tolerances are critical.
I see no reason you couldn't soak things with wd40 or other oil but little benefit.
I have an aversion to media blasting the inside of engines; probably just me.
I think with these old cars the dilemma is often between what will work and what will work well. It's easy to go overboard in either direction.
Tom
 
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