surefire engines

[blackie]

I hope this is the correct place for this thread, but I am in the market for a new cylinder head. I was actually considering just buying one from the dealership because of the junk I've been finding until the other day, I noticed that Autozone contracts through surefire engines for replacement motors and heads. I am curious as to if anyone has made the plunge or had any experiance with this company. I tried a search and didnt come up with much. Any and all advice would be helpful.
http://www.surefireengines.com/cgi-bin/info?331G

[ch1873857]

whats wrong with your head?

[blackie]

the one that was on the motor was warped so i picked up another one and it was warped even worse. I took it to the machine shop and they say it is too warped to just resurface it because they would have to take so much off that the cam journals would be off as well. They said that they can straighten it using the high heat torqued down on a stress plate, but then they would need to re-do the valve guides(?) as well and they want almost $500 for that.

[Kingtal0n]

If you are talking about a KA24DE Engine you can usually get an entire used running engine for under $500 with transmission. At least, thats how it is around here.

I still have one in my backyard.

[blackie]

Ya and that's the dilemma I'm facing. I've already bored and built my block. Just need a head

[blackie]

And most of the heads I see up for sale are warped or have been resurfaced already.

[Kingtal0n]

Buy a complete running engine, and use the head from that. Then, you will have the long block as a spare.

Unless when you said "built" you mean "built stock" in which case, just run the stock engine you buy, until it needs a rebuild, then take the head off and use it on your "built" engine. You can swap heads FIRST but its a shame to take apart a perfectly good running engine.

[blackie]

I put forged pistons, rods, clevite main and rod, and arp main and head studs in the block. The issue with buying a complete motor is there is a chance that the head may be warped just as much if not more than the heads that I have. Since I will be using a metal HG, the mating surface needs to be dam near perfect. Thanks for all of your replies.