All,

Looks like I'm going to be pulling the head. I had two broken exhaust manifold studs (the front and rear most) that I discovered the PO had left. After drilling out the broken stud with three sizes of left-hand bits, soaking them in penetrant once or twice a day for over a week, and applying heat, I managed to break an extractor in the stud. I'm admitting defeat and planning on pulling the head and taking it to a machine shop. Although the exhaust manifold had not warped (a machine shop checked when I was having other work done) in the previous year of off and on driving on my part and who knows how long before that, I'd like to get it taken care of.

So, the question is, what else should I have done or checked out? I know virtually no history about this motor. It's a B18 of some flavor, had a weber 32/36 on it when I got it, has even 150lbs compression across all cylinders, and the oil remains honey colored after 1500 miles. All this is in a '67 220. I'm guessing, given the even compression and lack of blow-by, that it might have a low compression head gasket and was rebuilt not that long ago. Will a machine shop be able to tell whether it has hardened valve seats? Anything else I should have taken care of while the head is off, either maintenance or machine work? Anything I should just go ahead and replace? Anything I should check that I might need to know for projects or repairs down the road?

Thanks for your advice and guidance!