I bought a used head for $30 with cam at my local parts yard, pulled it off in about 90 minutes working fast (storm was coming).

All you need for the head will be valve guides, stem seals, and valve springs. Of course this goes with lapping valves, verifying the head is true, etc. Probably can be done for $400 or less. Maybe $100 for top end gaskets plus bolts. And $500 for anything else that may arise... fan clutch, water pump, belt, radiator, etc if needed.

So is $1k or less smarter than a new vehicle? To me it is... With a used vehicle you'll be back to square one with maintenance. New you're stuck with a large outlay of cash and huge depreciation plus you want it insured for full value right??? Well that shoots up monthly outlay also.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]