Royals,
On my E0 head,after I stripped the valves and all,I took a grinder to the 1 bbl knob.sharpied on thehole pattern and using a smaller grinder,opened it up,finished with a dremel.Then cut valve guides for comp cams viton530(520-16)valve seals.A little port/polish,what I could reach.
I then took the head,both adapters(weber,2100) and port divider to a welder buddy.he did it cheap,but I wired his shop,so...
Machine shop for the rest.060 mill,hardned valve seats,big SS valves,3 angle(no backcut,forgot/not racing).Cleanup on carb mount and exhaust. $350 also needed 1 valve guide.
back at my shed,I enlarged 1 hole in one of the adapters and marked and drilled 6 holes.Now I can use either a 32/36 or a 2100.
I just haven't made linkage or cable for the 2100.
Now that I'm on head #7,and after teaching me how to braze,my welder bud has come up with a high nickel rod made FOR cast iron.
Basically,I'm saying do as much as you can yourself.sounds like that guy wanting $400 needs $200 for beer money.
after the 4th head ,you can dance while you do it,just don't let people see you,they'll pepperspray you cause they don'y understand..........