Has my cylinder head been upgraded?

[thescifiguy]

The engine in my GT appears to have been rebuilt. There's a nickel-sized plug or cap on the driver's side of the block near the timing chain cover that says: "Guaranty Void If Removed". The guys at work say that that's likely to be a temperature-sensitive thingy that will change color if the engine over heats and burns up due to negligence, thereby voiding a rebuild warranty
.
This engine seems to have way more power than a stock 9:1 compression 1.9L engine.

My question is:
If I just removed the valve cover, not the whole head, would I be able to see any markings on the cam shaft or any aspects of the valves that would indicate bigger valves or an upgraded cam? Would bigger valves have thicker shafts and so forth?

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by thescifiguy My question is: If I just removed the valve cover, not the whole head, would I be able to see any markings on the cam shaft or any aspects of the valves that would indicate bigger valves or an upgraded cam? Would bigger valves have thicker shafts and so forth?

Sometimes they mark the camshaft between the lobes or at least Isky used to. Valves - are you going to measure the diameter of the stem for non Opel sizing? Otherwise I don't believe you're going to be able to tell without pulling the head.


Harold

[opelspyder]

That tag indicates it is a reman head. I had one-had a lot of work done before they relized it was cracked and then fixed with plugs. Check the flat surface for round plugs or partial cracks still there. I would use another head if I were going to rebuild it though, just the knowledge helps peace of mind
Keith

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by opelspyder That tag indicates it is a reman head. I had one-had a lot of work done before they relized it was cracked and then fixed with plugs. Check the flat surface for round plugs or partial cracks still there. I would use another head if I were going to rebuild it though, just the knowledge helps peace of mind Keith

Just because Keith's head (engine) had a crack repaired doesn't mean all remans will have the same problem(s). I would have ANY head checked throughly before I spent any time or money on it. Nothing like doing some porting only to find out that it's cracked.

Harold

[thescifiguy]

The "reman" marker is on the BLOCK, not the head.

[jeff denton]

I wouldn't call it a "reman marker". And I wouldn't assume an engine with it has been re-manned. Anybody can get one and stick it on their engine. It is only a tool to determine if an engine has been very hot.
The only way to know what you've got is to peek inside it, which means at least pull the head and do some measuring. Bore size would be helpful.
But you didn't suggest any reason to take it apart, I assume it runs, so are you just curious?

[opelspyder]

We always called it a reman marker-it just tells who and where might have done it for warranty work. They seem to be spotwelded on-in most cases. I missed it being on the block though-haven't seen them on a block before