Remanufactured Head (ebay), Need you all experts advise Options

[msk59]

In the near future, I plan on redoing the valves etc on the head and came across some ebay sites that sells remanufactured heads. all work done with cams etc for under $300. Engine is 7A-FE and my car is 1996 Celica ST (AT-200) with manual transmission.

What is your experience with these heads and what advise you can give me that can help me decide.

Thank You
MSK

This post has been edited by msk59: Jun 13, 2014 - 8:09 AM

[VavAlephVav]

This is the same boat I'm in. I could manage to do the head, but lack the experience to do it right the first time. I know a guy at a local shop who I trust and will do the labor for $500, when it pays 8hours so i'd rather let him do it.
But if I get another head and have it worked on first I won't have to leave it with him for several days.
The salvage yard has heads with only 125k and if it turns out to be bad I'm only out the $45 for the machine shop testing it. And maybe later I can have the other head tested and sell it for maybe $75.
I think with most reman shops they keep your old core for only $15 and rebuilt it, and that is how they manage to make money on the rebuild.
So $500 for labor, $140 for the head, maybe $150 for the machine shop, and another $150 for a Cometic head kit. This way I'm spreading out the head and work on it over the summer and ill have enough for the labor in the fall.