So I'm all done installing my reman'd cylinder head.A friend comes by and I explain to him why I was doing the swap.He tells me that in 6 months ill likely see an oil consumption/smoking issue because of the fresh top end going on a broken in bottom end. Any truth to this?

 

Well it depends on the condition of your cylinders and rings. What did your cylinder walls mic out too? Why did you replace your head in the first
place? More info is needed to determine the answer to your question.

 

Reasoning for the head swap is that I destroyed the lower T stat housing bolt hole, when I tried to remove a broken bolt from it and broke the casting.

Upon removal of the old head,the combustion chambers were totally dry and the spark plugs were all a uniform brown/white color indicating a good burn.When the cylinderts were inspecyted I could still see crosshatching. I didn't mic the cylinders with a bore gauge while the head was off.

 

Not True, If it was not smoking or burning oil before its not going to start because you replaced the Cylinder head.

 

That's an old wive's tale that just won't die.

 

I agree - this is done plenty of times with no advers effects to existing retained components.

 

Sounds like the bottom end is in good shape. The ring groove was probably minor.

 

Is it running yet?