Thanks R-Code, I appreciate the input.
The heads are in very good condition, but like you say, they should be cleaned and have a clean-up mill done on combustion and exhaust surfaces. Threads are all really nice, so no work needed there. Valves would also need to be cleaned. Only light deposits, but if you have them apart, might as well do it right.
For what its worth, I had considered cleaning them up for sale. But the machine shops are backed up and that would delay things. I would also be looking at probably $100 to have them cleaned and milled. Might get the valves cleaned in there as well for that, but I doubt it. Selling on eBay for $1100 with roughly $85 in shipping and PayPal payment would run me about $140 based on the way I set me auction up, minus the $28 I would get back for Top Rated Seller status. And $1100 is a pretty good day on a set of heads that have used valves, lapped valves (not fresh cut), and used springs that I can't verify loads or mileage.
In the end, my $1100 heads ($1185 to the buyer) net me a maximum of $888, which I still believe to be a bit ambitious. Or, selling here or on The Fairlane Club of America site, I help out someone who is a fellow club/forum member by getting their cost down to just over $800 ($900 with the same machine work) and save them $285 on an identical set of heads. And, I don't have to deal with eBay, uncertainty on the sale price, two trips to the machine shop and probably an extra 3+ weeks considering my schedule.
I sell a lot on eBay. I usually will usually clean things up before they sell which is more than a coat of paint over the old paint and dirt. Its as nice as I would do for myself, and the purchase prices and my feedback reflect that. But eBay in a word stinks. Their fee schedule is terrible and their policies toward sellers promote abuse by buyers. If you do any amount of selling there, you already kn ow that.
Sure, I probably could have squeaked a little more money out of them, but don't we all pay enough for this stuff already? I try to pay it forward when I can. And I have been the receiving end of things as well. Just yesterday I was "gifted" a low mileage set of Coker Redline tires (including a new spare) that will be my "show" set up for my Cobra when it is completed.
So selling the heads for $725 or the oil cooler and adapter for what I did was just paying it forward so we all have a little more money to spend on our cars. I know I wouldn't be nearly as far along on my projects without a little good will from others from time to time.
Anyhow, there is your very long-winded explanation of why I priced them where I did, and why I am comfortable having done so.
Now, the bad news is, the other person who expressed an interest in the heads is going to take them. I am sorry, but at least I know he is a great guy and has gone out of his way to help countless people with technical questions and parts, so they are going to a good home.
Time to get back to work!
Paul
1969 R-Code, 4-Speed, Drag-Pack Cobra Fastback Project
1967 Mercury Commuter Wagon w/mild 429
My Car Restoration Projects
