84 245 Ti with a dead cylinder... have ruled out a broken valve spring by pulling the cam cover and cheking valve clearances in #3 dead cylinder, so it appears most likely to be a bad valve. Also, ignition and fuel checks out.

Has anyone recently had a B21FT turbo head reconditioned? I'll want it spec'd to factory configuration including the special sodium-filled exhaust valves which I understand cannot be ground, only lapped-in.

I am in California and I have heard on the board that Central Coast Cylinder Heads is reputable; I'll call to ensure they can do the turbo head. I'll compare with a Volvo independent and local auto machine shops to get a price comparison. Any tips or comments I should make when I send the head in? It will likely need resurfacing and also check/repair cracks.

Thanks, Robert

84 245 Ti/AW71 211k miles

I'm probably the one who posted about good experience with Central Coast Cyl Heads. They did a fine job 15 months ago on our 81 (B21F), including welding up and rethreading a badly stripped plug hole. Even with careful inspection you couldn't tell there had been a repair - combustion chamber surface was smooth, and the plug seat was perfect. This plus a light skim of the gasket surface and all new seals and a valve job (yes, with correct clearances) for $250.

Give em a call - they're in Atascadero, on Traffic Way about a mile East of 101.

...but first: in your original post of Dec 18th ("Dead Cylinder") you mentioned you intended to get a leakdown test. Did you? This would be the definitive test of whether or not you have a cylinder leakage problem, and if so, the source. Be a real bummer to get the head rebuilt and find the problem was actually broken rings.
--
Bob (81-244GL B21F, 83-244DL B23F, 94-944 B230FD plus grocery-getter Dodge minivan, MGB, and numerous old motorcycles)

Thanks for the feedback; I'll call Atascadero this week.

Yes, still intend to get a leakdown test on Tues. Although, if its a ring issue then that's a different level of teardown and time I'd certainly have to consider. Oil consumption has typically been about 1 quart (mobil 1) every 1500 miles which I don't consider abnormal.

Thanks

Robert

Have you done a compression test to verify your diagnosis?
--
David Hunter

Are you absolutely sure you have ruled out a bad wire or plug? Had one of these dead sylinder things fool me for a while and it was the plug wire, nothing more.

I'll have a compression/leak down test done this Tues to make sure... but when the starter cranks the motor, it will race as it spins through the compression stroke of the suspect cylinder. A good indicator?