Rebuilt Cylinder Head Recommendations

[jonathan1173]

Has anyone had experience with some of the cylinder head rebuilders out there?
I've looked at RamsCyl and CHI, but am undecided. Please share your experiences and recommendations.

Background is a 97 Hardbody, rubuilding stock, new rod bearings, Hastings rings installed within specs (Plastiguaged, Feeler gauge)
Pistons, rods and crank look good, no scoring, tolerances good. No plans to turbo or anything extreme.
Wanting rebuilt head, new oil pump, and other parts to put her back on the road.

Thanks!

[whomadewho]

One would assume a 1997 Nissan pickup with a 2.4 liter would use the same head. My truck has a or more than one valve out,went to the local machine shop and got an estimate for the complete job between $200 & 300 $$$ depending on which head. Do to past experiences I decided to replace the engine with a different one. I thought about buying a rebuilt head, but with the price of the head - plus shipping, plus core charge, and possible return shipping you would be far better off using a local machine shop. The advantage is you know what is being done. Whatever you decide MAKE SURE YOU GO BY THE CASTING NUMBER ON THE HEAD.

[Adverse Effects]

if its a Z24 and you have the head off there is a good chance you will need the block decked i blew 3 head gaskets in 2 years after the head had a full rework and in the 3rd time they decided to check the deck and found it was ever so mildly bowed and that was causing the gasket to blow

this is a known problem with the Z24's and its not the head that is at fault its the block is a badly constructed

they even say on each service you need to back off and re torque the head bolts

[jonathan1173]

Thanks, after back and forth emails and photos to Rams, they confirmed which head is needed and took about a week to build one and ship. They sent remanufactured head along with a return shipping slip. No upfront core charge, just return the old one in 30 days.
The newly rebuilt head is a beauty, lightly painted and valves/ stems lubed. It's mounted on the D21 and can be viewed in my profile picture. Rams Cylinder Heads St. Louis (314) 351-6053.