Is that a chip missing from the inner wall of that exhaust port?

 

That kinda looks like the result of a hammer, not that I would know what that looks like or anything. That's not going to affect it drastically is it? The gasket probably won't seat that great. Eh, if it get's back to running worry about it later.

So, oh wise ones: what are some good resources for engine components? Are there some to stay away from? Specific vendors to buy certain things from?

I'm replacing my HG late this spring, gotta start piecing it together now.

Keep up the good wrenching photos!!

 

Will Tillery aka RoverGuy is based out of Danville, VA and can provide you with everything you might need for the HG job. That is who I went through and I had the package sitting at my doorstep the next day! But I am only 4 hours from him. Email him at willtillery@roverguy.com and he will reply very quickly!
Called the local LR dealer and found out who they have machine all their heads, took my heads over to the shop today, found out a few things...

The old discoveries (not sure what year range this applies to) have an old style of exhaust valve that has a straight rod on them, the newer style has a decrease in diameter right before the valve pans out. This apparently prevents sticking, so if you have the old valves have them replaced with the newer ones.
Bring your valve seals in to the head shop with you, they will need them to do the job correctly.

I'll do a full write up once I get the job completed next week most likely, heads should be finished on Tuesday.

 

I have purchased used parts from Will. He is excellent. What was the cost of the package you got from him?

Sounds like you are on the right track.

 

x2 on Will, had my new (used) ECM sitting at my front door the day after I ordered it.

 

Paid $180 for everything, now I need to figure out where all the seals and gaskets go haha

 

So if you take a look at the picture below you can see the marks on where the intake manifold doesn't exactly match up with my heads and there is a restricted airflow which doesn't exactly help with engine performance. I am thinking of taking a dremel tool and shaving the sides at an angle to make the air flow more smoothly between the heads and the intake manifold. Has anyone ever done this? I would make a template of my intake manifold and place it up on my newly polished heads and see how much they overlap then shave it back until they match up. Getting the heads back on Thursday though, will post some picks when I get them.

 

Here's the pic: you can see the marks on the very last intake port I think (not sure if that's the intake) But yeah so what do you guys think?

 

So here's the picture below... you can see the intake port on the far right, and that should be shaved back to where the marks end. Anyways what do you guys think?

 

Are you sure that isn't because the gasket doesn't cover that area?

I'd be absolutely positive before changing those ports.