I recently obtained a 1996 Accord LX with a blown head gasket as diagnosed by a mechanic somewhere.

I took it on as a personal project and learning experience as I have never done anything more than basic automotive repair.
Since I was basically given the car its not a big deal if I screw up.

Anyways I was able to remove the head without much trouble, other than breaking a ratchet, socket, and extension. I did my own check for warping and it was way out of spec; So I took the head to a machine shop and they said it was scrap. 45 Bucks down the drain, not a big deal.

I picked up a new cylinder head from a local salvage yard for $150. Being the slightly intimidated amateur that I am, I didn't ask too many questions or give the head a detailed look over. Even after watching the yard owner basically toss the head on the ground outside my vehicle. I was of course told that the head should be good to bolt on as is.

Here's the point where I'm stuck. When I got home from the yard I realized the head was scratched/gouged in two places. It definitely looks like the damage was done after the head was removed.

Should I try and return it to the yard or suck it up and drain another $45 at the machine shop?

Scratches between chambers

scratch/burr on edge of chamber

Also any other suggestions or knowledge related to this project will be gladly accepted

 

Not worth the risk. Those are critical sealing surfaces. Yards usually have a 30 day return policy. You should get another and remove it yourself. Tell them the machine shop said the one they gave you is no good

 

if it was me i would look at the cylinder walls and make a decision based on that if the head was trashed it prob had high miles. if the headgasket was blown the bearings in the bottom end are probobly screwed. i just bought a low mileage f22 from a scrapyard for 400 delivered.so their are deals out there dont waste time and money trying to be cheap.dont bolt on a scarred up head

 

The engine had 150k miles on it before popping the gasket.
The cylinder walls seem fine though one cylinder has some vertical scuffing.

I guess it just comes down to getting the ***** to tell the guy from the yard they screwed up and that I want another head. It's so strange to me how nonchalantly the guy at the yard dropped the head onto the gravel covered ground.

 

well they are used to junk.lol.just me it is possible though to ****** the pistons through the bottom hone the cylinders with a dingleberry hone and re ring it!!dirty rebuild with the motor still in.done it several times