Cylinder Head Block Assembly

[NorthernPete]

All righty, heres a question for who ever.

I bought a 1983 XJ 650 Maxim last year, and it came with a complete spare engine. (Im not sure if the spare runs or not though) now I was cleaning up the bike, carbs and what not, and I ended up breaking off 3 of the bolts that hold the carb boots into the head block. cant get them out.. Now heres my idea. I want to take the engine out, and replace the head block from the spare to the bike. I have the Haynes Manual and it doesnt look like a huuuuge job (knock wood) is this a good idea? or should I try swapping the engine, not knowing if it works or not?

thoughts or opinions welcome, if your idea seems better, I'll do it. Also, if anyones ever doen the blockassembly thing let me know how much of a job it was, (time wise) this is just my little summer project, as no one wants to buy the thing, I may as well fart around with it.

[TechTMW]

Honestly, more work than it's worth. (IMO)

In your situation I would either take the entire thing to a machine shop and have them drill/helicoil new studs for you, or just swap the complete engine with the other one. (IIRC you have to take the engine out of the frame to get the head off anyway, but could be wrong on that)

You might as well clean the engine up really nice while it's out of the bike (And clean the frame and everything else too. Make it nice and shiny before you put it back together and then you'll find a buyer !

[NorthernPete]

well, I tore the head block off the spare engine... unfortunately, two of the carb boot bolts snapped off in the block (sme problem I have with the engine in the bike right now) dag...so my plan has changed a bit, I'll take the other one apart as well, and bring both blocks into a machine shop and get the bolts drilled out and retap the holes... Id rather do that on those blind taps... get it done good and then rebuild...

I'll post some pics tommorrow.