Shame about your engine buddy - think @Paul Weeding does rebuilds might be worth sending all your bits to him and let him work his magic.
I will rebuild it and it will live again to cruise over hill and dale to the seaside and the woods carrying us to some of the nicest spots in the land, introducing us to excellent new friends from...... I got a bit carried away, sorry. I'm gonna mend it.
If there is anyone on here who can weld heads I can donate one with a crack between intake and exhaust valves
Ahh! That's a nice offer Joker. I'm going to get my head looked at tomorrow and get it checked but I think it's going to still be serviceable with a bit of smoothing and dressing of the dings, none of which are anywhere important.
I may have a barrel if you need it. Not sure if I have a piston but will check. I have a man cave full of type 4 bits some good some not so good but if I've for any odd bits you're welcome to them
I've been wanting to try this for a while, but can't get anyone to donate a couple of broken heads. One to cut cross sections through to get measurements from and another to repair.
I've had that too - I presumed it was where I had sanded it back and it had become too thin and was vibrating - it was like someone was hammering on the roof. In the end I grp'ed in some aluminium strips I had bent to shape - seems to have fixed it.
Ouch. Looks like I got off lucky when my head went pop. I'd replace both heads. I know it's an additional cost but while you are there you might as well and it is best from what I've been taught. Also new heads have no need for the gasket rings. The manufactures of them (certainly the ones I've bough from VWH) state not to use them. As Paradox said, it will need a new piston.
I'm going for new heads (both sides) 4 new barrels and pistons, new heat exchangers and exhaust pipe. New big end and little end bearings and a new camshaft. Oh and all new tin bolts 'cos getting them out was a right pain! Oh and new push rod tubes and push rods. It's not all bad though, I bought a new distributor, plugs and leads two weeks ago so they should be ok.
Are you fitting new can followers?? If you're fitting new pushrods you might as well go the whole hog and fit the tappet caboodle too. I'd also recommend new tappet adjuster screws too.
I thought you were trying to do this on the cheap? New main bearings is all you've left off your list so do them as well.