My 292 engine was fresh when I purchased my car 10 yrs ago. A year ago I had a self inflicted reason to remove one of the heads. I noticed oil I didn’t like and decided it was a valve seal problem. I removed the other head and since I had a hand valve spring clamp remover I disassembled both, cleaned the valves and and lapped them. I purchased the seals and the guide cutter from Competition Parts and completed the job myself. I have always paid machinists and did not know how easy this part was to do. There is measurements to take so things don’t hit. My valve seats had been replaced and were fine. I tested each one for leaks and found none. The reason I asked was I’ve asked a few guys about using the positive seals on street engines and all agreed it was a good idea.

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

Although my 292 is yet to be rebuilt, I most definitely have spent more time researching what I want than it will take to rebuild the engine. However, the longer it takes, the more likely you will decide to shelve some parts and use others. No doubt, that can be expensive. Once everything goes to the builder, I will live with the results, only because the person who will be doing the work knows what he's doing. I will also rely on him to  tell me if he would prefer not to use any of the supplied parts and why. I don't have money to burn, but it doesn't pay to be penny-wise and pound-foolish.  

I didn't specify that I wanted that type, and I didn't ask what was used. I also didn't look yet. (shame on me, I know)

Just didn't want to complicate things more, or incur extra extra extra cost.

Did the work include PC type seals or just the umbrellas?

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

http://www.ford-y-block.com/ALUMINUM%20HEADS.htm $3050

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Oh, I should mention many of the still existing and in-use vineyard fans are 292's according to the machine shop. They have rebuilt many of them.

Sorry, got pulled away from all the fun by work stuff. :| 

So the total cost includes

1) Replacement heads with stronger valve springs
2) Port work on the heads and 4bbl ECZ-B intake
3) Camshaft sent out and reground to a T-Bird 312 profile - true up lifters
4) Replacement crankshaft as ours was damaged due to previous mechanic not tightening flywheel bolts - machined .010 under
5) Block work - bored .040 to get true, squared
6) Cleaning 2 sets of heads that ended up being cracked... fixable, but cracked.
7) Rebuild kit with pistons, etc
8) Check/recondition rods
9) Balance rotating assy.
10) Pertronix distributor and coil
11) Timing chain, oil pump, oil pump drive

Probably something I forgot. Plus I rounded up a little.

I feel like it was a LOT, but things do cost more in this stupid place.  I also trust this machinist, so I don't mind paying a premium.

Thanks all!

When I had the machine work done on my 312 the cost made me think if I mess it up when I assemble it I could really waste some money so I just had him assemble it.

I hope so, but that’s (depending on all that was done) in the neighborhood for the Seattle area. If he’s really in NAPA, you’ve got to add the wine in for lunch, and then who knows………

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Although it's not clear, I think it's safe to assume that's the cost for parts & machine work for the entire engine, not just the heads.