I'm guessing this is the right place. It'* not really a mechanical issue, nor is it performance/brainstorming I don't believe.

My question is this. I could swear I've either heard of or read of 1997 3800 heads having a problem cracking under higher spring pressures. Is it the spring seat or the valve seat that cracks, and why?

You are correct on the 1997 being the head cracking year.

Not sure where..but did ask Todd while at Intense. He mentioned that if I ever pull my heads for any reason and have them cleaned/magnafluxed I should expect to see cracks. Almost all 97'* have them.

That makes me think it'* not necessarily just the spring area...but in general.

Okay, I got a set of 97'* here and I'll check em out. Maybe I got lucky and these are from the begining or end of the year and the problem had been solved I doubt it though.

And Boosty said 97s were better...plsh...

Is there any stampings on the heads, maybe you could check the dates to see when it was made (you said it was a 97) it could be the beginning or the end of 97

Let'* keep it on topic for Doug...

I think I read/saw pics where the cracks are between the I and E valves.

I wonder what is different in the 97 as opposed to the other year'* cyl heads to have that problem?

If I had to guess, I would think something to do with how they treat/harden the valve seats.

there is a part number change for the LATE 98 heads.....early 98 heads have the same issues

here is a good read that explains everything
http://www.3800pro.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11

That was interesting. That'* the first I've been there!
So what about 95-96 motors? Should we worry??