1300 Cylinder head renew?

[mike]

I am thinking of replacing my 1968 Rallye's tired cylinder head with a reconditioned one.

My current cyl. head has been removed and repaired three times in as many years (according to the service records). It now has a stripped spark plug thread on cyl 4 - from a previous repair I believe.

Are there any "watch-its" I should look out for in purchasing a reconditioned cylinder head?
Is it alright to use my current valves / guides / springs etc in the reconditioned head?
Is a new head gasket required? My old one is only months old with little use.

Thanks for any advice or tips,

Mike

[William]

By reading your last question I can advise you to outsource this job. As for the head, check for corrosion on the gasket surface. Gasketleaks can result from this. A reconditioned head should have the guides already installed as it is unadviseable the swap them with your used guides. If valves are not installed bring one of yours and check for play in the guides, there should hardly be any. Valvesprings tend to weaken after time and use so it is better to replace for new. Do not put shims under them or replace for stiffer ones as the originals when new are good even for circuit use (8000 rpm)
The head for your car should have 818.140 cast in it. The 818.303 head when fitted with mechanical rev counter is slightly faster, especially when the original 818.303 cams are installed.
Hope this info is of some help.
William.