|
You should be able to tell for yourself if it has hardened seats---they are readily apparent, a narrow ring of metal surrounding each valve (can be all of them or sometimes exhausts only) inlaid into the head. An original head has the seats cut directly in the cast iron.
With the oil consumption you report, the valve guide seals are probably in good shape, and can be left alone.
While the head is off is a good time to check the condition of the camshaft. Rotate the engine by hand, with a pushrod in lifter #1, and measure how far up and down it travels. Repeat the process, one by one, with all the others. They should all be pretty much the same. If one of them comes up short, that lobe is wearing out, and while it's already apart is the best time to do something about it. You could also pull each lifter out, again one by one--it is important that they stay in their original holes--and examine the bottom surface, where it rides on the cam. It should be smooth and shiny. It may be slightly concave. Any deep pits or galling (roughness) are grounds for replacement. The cam and lifters should be replaced as a set.
|