Buying Used afr heads?

1120 Views 20 Replies 10 Participants Last post by GradyStang, 5 mo ago

Bofa

Discussion Starter · 5 mo ago

9

Found a decent deal on a set of afr heads, but I’ve never bought new heads, let alone used ones. These are pictures of them, any issues you all can see, and any advice on what to look for when I see them in person?

Audio equipment Automotive lighting Automotive tire Engineering Machine

Automotive tire Automotive design Engineering Gas Machine

Automotive engine gasket Wood Gas Automotive tire Font

Automotive tire Gas Rim Bumper Auto part

Wood Font Metal Carmine Auto part

Wood Gas Font Triangle Rectangle

Gas Audio equipment Automotive tire Automotive wheel system Automotive exterior

Gas Electronic instrument Audio equipment Motor vehicle Font

Vehicle Hood Audio equipment Gas Electronic instrument

See less See more

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

Maxum96

· #2 · 5 mo ago

Hard to tell from the pictures. Glad to see they have the AFR guide plates as AFR says not to use non AFR guide plates. You need to run by a machine shop and have them inspected. You can't check the valve guides without removing the valves. Also the heads need to be inspected for cracks and warpage. The good news is that AFR heads are U.S. made and good quality. I run a set of AFR 205 heads and they have been issue free. If you do buy the heads, get ARP head studs and good quality roller rockers for the heads. It would be a waste to put nice heads on your motor with cheap hardware.

Reactions: 1

Bofa

Discussion Starter · #3 · 5 mo ago

Are they even worth buying used for $1350 if I need to do all that, and possibly replace the valve springs?

Zack67Coupe

· #4 · 5 mo ago

Why is that one valve so clean when the rest are black with carbon?

Reactions: 2

Grimbrand

· #5 · 5 mo ago

That is one heck of a deal for the money, I'd say.

Reactions: 1

Bofa

Discussion Starter · #6 · 5 mo ago

Zack67Coupe said:
Why is that one valve so clean when the rest are black with carbon?

I didn’t see that. What could that indicate?

rusty1161

· #7 · 5 mo ago

The newer Renegades use adjustable guide plates. Those look like they might be an older generation AFR 165. IMHO, not worth $1350.

Reactions: 1

Bofa

Discussion Starter · #8 · 5 mo ago

rusty1161 said:
The newer Renegades use adjustable guide plates. Those look like they might be an older generation AFR 165. IMHO, not worth $1350.

Ad says they were bought in 2018.

Maxum96

· #9 · 5 mo ago

Bofa said:
Are they even worth buying used for $1350 if I need to do all that, and possibly replace the valve springs?

You'll have to see what a machine shop would charge you to inspect them and decide if it's worth it. New the heads are $2064 a pair at Summit Racing. That includes valves, springs, guide plates and studs and assembled. You're taking a risk buying used engine parts. If it were me, I'd have to have them inspected before I'd fork over any cash.

Reactions: 1

rusty1161

· #10 · 5 mo ago

Bofa said:
Ad says they were bought in 2018.

And the newer Renegade heads I’ve seen have “Renegade” machined in the sides, too. This is not my engine, just a pic I found on the Interwebs. If I was home I’d take a pic of my 185 Renegades.

I’m skeptical they are newer Renegades, and don’t believe they’re worth $1350, maybe $6-700 for the older AFR 165’s. If they are Renegades, and the decks are flat and the guides are in good shape then that is a fair price. Perhaps have the seller pay to have them inspected, provide the invoice from a reputable machine shop, then decide if they’re worth it.

Product Gas Engineering Machine Metal

See less See more

Reactions: 2

Bofa

Discussion Starter · #11 · 5 mo ago

rusty1161 said:
And the newer Renegade heads I’ve seen have “Renegade” machined in the sides, too. This is not my engine, just a pic I found on the Interwebs. If I was home I’d take a pic of my 185 Renegades.

I’m skeptical they are newer Renegades, and don’t believe they’re worth $1350, maybe $6-700 for the older AFR 165’s. If they are Renegades, and the decks are flat and the guides are in good shape then that is a fair price. Perhaps have the seller pay to have them inspected, provide the invoice from a reputable machine shop, then decide if they’re worth it. View attachment 873943

you make a good point an d it got me to searching. these are 1402's, I think these are for emission control cars. will this even work with a 66 engine?

Maxum96

· #12 · 5 mo ago (Edited)

rusty1161 said:
And the newer Renegade heads I’ve seen have “Renegade” machined in the sides, too. This is not my engine, just a pic I found on the Interwebs. If I was home I’d take a pic of my 185 Renegades.

I’m skeptical they are newer Renegades, and don’t believe they’re worth $1350, maybe $6-700 for the older AFR 165’s. If they are Renegades, and the decks are flat and the guides are in good shape then that is a fair price. Perhaps have the seller pay to have them inspected, provide the invoice from a reputable machine shop, then decide if they’re worth it. View attachment 873943

My AFR heads are older (2008) and have the old logo milled into the heads. My heads don't have the chamber sizes stamped on them like the current versions do. I think the heads the OP is interested in are probably 2018 versions has they have the previous AFR logo from the current version which they started using the last few years. I don't think AFR has changed the design of their heads. So the 2018 versions would be the same as current versions sans the current logo.

Motor vehicle Automotive design Bumper Automotive exterior Automotive wheel system

See less See more

Reactions: 1

groho

· #13 · 5 mo ago (Edited)

You need to determine the valve spring rate. AFR default ships with roller valves, tappet valves have a lower spring rate and AFR has a process for exchanging prior to shipping. If the seller remembers the motor they came off of, roller vs tappet cam, thats good. This is something your shop needs to confirm. The last thing you want is to put the wrong springs on your cam. $1350 is a little on the high side, but given the current price spikes (185 Ren's are $3k+) id offer $1000, and settle at $1200. Spend $100 on an inspection, $ well invested unless you have the tools.

I love my AFRs. The valve train is a little noisy if you go light on the valve lash at idle when hot, but smooths right out once your running. I run my 165's to 6500rpm without issue. Intend to buy 185 or 195 for my new motor.

Maxum96

· #14 · 5 mo ago

groho said:
$1350 is a little on the high side, but given the current price spikes (185 Ren's are $3k+) id offer $1000, and settle at $1200. Spend $100 on an inspection, $ well invested unless you have the tools.

The heads the OP posted are 165's and sell for slightly over $2k at Summit. AFR 185 Renegades list for the same price.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/afr-1402

Bofa

Discussion Starter · #15 · 5 mo ago

groho said:
You need to determine the valve spring rate. AFR default ships with roller valves, tappet valves have a lower spring rate and AFR has a process for exchanging prior to shipping. If the seller remembers the motor they came off of, roller vs tappet cam, thats good. This is something your shop needs to confirm. The last thing you want is to put the wrong springs on your cam. $1350 is a little on the high side, but given the current price spikes (185 Ren's are $3k+) id offer $1000, and settle at $1200. Spend $100 on an inspection, $ well invested unless you have the tools.

I love my AFRs. The valve train is a little noisy if you go light on the valve lash at idle when hot, but smooths right out once your running. I run my 165's to 6500rpm without issue. Intend to buy 185 or 195 for my new motor.

it was for a roller cam.

Nailbender

· #16 · 5 mo ago

Used price should be less than 1/2 of new imo. Too many what if's. The shiny intake valve would have most likely been a blown head or intake gasket right?

Woodchuck

· #17 · 5 mo ago

#1402 "Smog" head (accepts Thermactor). IMHO, used aluminum heads shouldn't be more than 50 cents on the dollar versus the same, brand new...and that's assuming none of the threads are stripped or buggered and that they haven't had any additional machining/porting work done.

blkfrd

· #18 · 5 mo ago

The valve tip pattern looks good. You can deduce what you want from that, but it tells me that someone with care and knowledge used those heads.

Bofa

Discussion Starter · #19 · 5 mo ago

they were barely used according to the seller, but I decided not to get them. too many unknowns on my car and I don't understand enough about heads and valves and all the other stuff yet to make an educated decision. but thank you all for your input, it was very helpful.

Maxum96

· #20 · 5 mo ago

Personally, between what the the seller wanted and new heads, I would have gone with new. If you bought the used heads, you'd have to run them by a machine shop and my guess is that would be at least $100 to have them disassembled and inspected. Now if you could have got them for $1,000 or less, then I would say that's worth the risk.

1 - 20 of 21 Posts