Clean and Prep New Head

The new iron head from Moss arrived yesterday, with all the fixins. Sweeeeet! Got the ARP stud kit through Summit too - they look incredible.

The head is slathered up with a sap-like substance - I assume to minimize corrosion potential in shipping. I have a gallon of mineral spirits in the garage - is that the right stuff to clean everything up?

After I install the head and the rebuilt rocker assembly what do I need to do to prelube everything - just wipe it down with oil?

Thanks.

Cleaning gunk with mineral spirits should work. Do it in a tank or a bucket so you can keep brushing it all over the thing. The bad news is that you're going to wash away the good gunk. Your valve stems should have some assembly lube on them and so should your rocker bushings. Short of tearing the head down to pre-lube (again) you might try a spray can of Super Lube or motorcycle chain lube and spray with the nozzle wand into each valve stem and each rocker bushing. Maybe some of the other guys will have a better idea. Basil

Dave or Basil, Are these new cast iron heads any less prone to cracking than the old heads?

Thanks Basil, I appreciate the advice. I'll stay away from the valve stems and use a rag dipped in the mineral spirits. The stuff is not everywhere and it's not that thick. It's mostly on the bottom of the head, applied like a protective film. The rocker isn't installed and doesn't have any gunk on it so I'll stay away from that too.

I've always used the old castings and haven't even seen the new iron head. Moss charges between $1000 and $1100 for them and I can get brand new iron heads with or without smog ports, stainless valves, hard seats ready to install to you for $885. The cost of doing an old cast iron head correctly is about $500 plus whatever you pay for the solid casting. If your head is uncracked and you have a good machinist, I can save you a ton on the parts but you'll save a ton rebuilding your existing head. If your head is cracked, buying a solid core and having it done right will cost you as much as this new casting or save you $100-200 over the Moss price. If anyone is looking, I have plenty of magnafluxed and pressure tested old heads, I have access to the new heads at good prices and I'd be happy to give you a quote on the parts to rebuild your existing head. Basil