Pits in chambers, pits in bowls, pits within deck surfaces and sharp casting numbers.
Also, make sure all threads for studs are good and bosses are not cracked.
You will spend a little more making certain all above are excellent condition, but will save you $$$ on milling and correcting in machine shop.
$500 is a great price if the heads are perfect and ready to run or need to be rebuilt. I dont like to spend any more than this if the heads are claimed to have been "recently rebuilt" unless the sale is accompanied with a detailed receipt with the head codes and/or the date codes of the heads.
More than likely, if you spend $350 on a set of cores or $800 for a set done by someone else, problems may arise. Too many times people have had to change springs for the cam they want to run (add $400 to total)
My opinion is to find a good set and have them done to your cam, your needs...You will spend more initially, but less in the long run.
Si Vis Pacem Parabellum
1967 Starlight black PMD Engineering 400 Auto 1968 Alpine Blue 400 4 speed 1968 Verdoro Green 400 HO 4 speed 2013 1LE 2SS/RS Inferno Orange Camaro.
