Thanks for reading. I have to replace a broken/burnt (missing a piece) exhaust valve on my 97 Prelude. The question, I have though is do I need to recondition/recut the valve seat, like the Helms manual says? Can't I just do a valve lap instead? And install the new valve. Cuz I think the seat seems good. I mean, at the moment I don't have a lot of cash to have the head sent out for Valve work also on average how much does it cost for this kind of stuff (valve/head work) anyways?

 

If you take the head to them (remove it yourself), a valve job should be around $150. It will be more if they have to replace parts or deck the head.

You will also need a new head gasket and that's another $50ish. so your starting at $200 total.

 

Thanks. Anyone else?

 

yes, as long as the seat isnt damaged you can simply lap in the valve and while your in there you may as well clean all the ports and lap in all the valves. this will give you an unexpected power gain

 

I just had valve work done on my head and it cost me $200, but I had the head decked and a 3-angle valve job. I would always recommend getting the head decked just to be sure that it is flat. In my experience and from what people say its a smart move. But If your looking for an over the night thing where your in a pickle, then yeah id say lap the valve, and you should be fine, but if you want to be sure id wait until you get the money.

 

How many valves did you do?

 

I did a full rebuild so all 16. I don't know if they would cut you a deal because you only want a couple of them done.

 

Thanks. When you got the head decked, did the machine cleaned it also?

 

i would want the valve job done, it just makes sense if you are going to have it all apart.

 

normally they charge you like 35 dollars for the cleaning cause they cant really do any machine done with out clean. but I would talk to the machinist that is going to do it. Tell him whats going on and maybe you two can work a deal out. just an idea. I would agree with v4lu3s might as well.

 

The only reason I'm thinking of doing just the bad valve is cuz I bought the car with the misfire and I'm not too sure what condition the bottom end is in. I mean, the car has 130K on it.