Can't find a CNC shop to rebuild my head?
 

I've called multiple cnc shops, they refuse to work with diesel heads. Am I forced to pretty much ship this thing out of state?

A few things to think about. I had a local shop do one of mine. Did a great job. HOWEVER, by the time you buy parts and then pay for the service, you might as well bite the bullet and contact Mike at MetricMotors in California. Overall, I don't think you really save a bunch locally and you will have a lot of piece of mind going with MM.

Could you tell me more about Mike please? He specializes in Mercedes diesel heads?

Go to Metric Motors web site Metric Motors, Inc.

As a former CNC machinist, I understand some places not wanting to mess with such things. It's frustrating, I know, but the skills and knowledge you ask for in rebuilding your head is one that's only becoming more rare and I certainly wouldn't blame a shop for counting the liability higher than the potential profit. Besides, by sending it to an outfit with a reputation in *these* heads you know it'll be done right.

I've let local shops do things and will always send an unusual head to a specialist. Take the advice above. The possible few penn,isn't worth the risk. Some things cost more and are worth it.

Thanks everyone. Before I prolong this thread, parts + labor + shipping will cost north of $1,500 correct?

Not even close. not over $1,000

Oh ok, I was just expecting the worse.

I'm pretty sure Max is selling a complete #22 head for $800 in great shape. Why waste time on yours.

Edwards Automotive in Timonium, MD is an old-school engine machine shop.

They hot tanked, checked for cracks, replaced valve guides & seals, reground/seated the valves, and painted my 617's head for around $400. I dropped it off somewhat clean and fully dissembled.

Same issue here no one competent or willing to work on IDI heads. What no. head do you have?
Why do you consider CNC necessary?

No better place for truly excellent work by machinists with extensive MBZ knowledge & experience. Period.

When the official Mercedes Classic Center does a full restoration, guess where they send the engines for rebuilding? (Hint: it's not Germany.) It's not something that MBZ wants the public to know about, and Mike doesn't tell people about that. (in order to keep a mutually beneficial relationship intact.)

Is there something I'm not seeing here? A 60x head is no more complex than any other head. I had mine done by a local machine shop, Westchester Auto Machine, and the only thing special I had to do was lend them a spline socket to remove the prechambers. Hot tank, surfacing, new valves, seats, guides and stem seals. $600 and done. Maybe you'd need a specialist if you were doing a short block, but for the head? It's a flat, SOHC, two valve head. Tell me what's tricky.

The tricky part is the pre-chambers and proper pressure testing requires a Mercedes-Benz plate that is bolted to the face of the head so the coolant passages can be pressurized while the head is submerged in a tank of 80 deg C water. Parts are also not easy, I had to find and supply all the parts (valve guides and valve guide seals) for a head that I had done locally.

Finally found a local shop, my search key words where off, instead of typing Diesel head repair/service I just typed CNC shop and went on a wild goose chase.

I was qouted $600 as well, minus parts. If my head fails pressure or warp limits I'll just buy Max's head if available.

Having another car is going to allow me to REALLY dig deep on my 300SDL.

You lost me on "CNC" (Computer Numerical Controlled). Most automotive shops use purpose-built machines for things like honing, valve grinding, etc. About the only time a general-purpose CNC milling machine is used is for "porting heads" (i.e smoothing intake and exhaust ports for better air flow), and that usually at an after-market head manufacturer. A local shop would use a small hand grinder to port, though usually a hobbyist does his own grinding.

Yep, a general machine shop won't get you what you need.

An automotive machine shop has all the fixtures and setup to deal with automotive parts.

I use Wheeler Machine and Parts in Macon, Ga to repair heads.