Cylinder head resurfacing machine prices depend on size, cutting system and condition. A new cylinder head resurfacing machine costs about EUR 8,900 for a small Comec RP330 and EUR 19,350 to EUR 30,900 for head-and-block models such as the Comec RP1000, RP1300 and RP1400 CNC, based on European dealer prices. In the US, used CBN head and block resurfacers from Comec and Berco sell for about $13,500 to $22,500, while older belt-type surfacers can be found for around $1,500.
Types of cylinder head resurfacing machines: milling, grinding and belt surfacers
- Milling resurfacers use a rotating cutter head with CBN (cubic boron nitride) or PCD (polycrystalline diamond) inserts. They handle cast iron and aluminium heads and, on larger models, engine blocks. Most modern machines in engine rebuilding shops are this type.
- Grinding resurfacers use a grinding wheel or cup, giving a fine finish.
- Belt surfacers use an abrasive belt. They are older and cheaper, suited to light work rather than precision finishes.
Size matters most: small machines take car heads only, while long-bed machines take truck heads and full engine blocks.
New machine prices (Europe)
| Model | Type | Dealer price |
|---|---|---|
| Comec RP330 | Small cylinder head resurfacer | EUR 8,900 to EUR 9,410 (RP330.M) |
| Comec RP850 | Medium head skimming machine | EUR 12,390 |
| Comec RP1000 | Head and block resurfacer | EUR 19,350 |
| Comec RP1000 CNC | Numerically controlled, CBN/PCD | EUR 22,550 |
| Comec RP1300 | Large heads and blocks | EUR 24,240 to EUR 24,540 |
| Comec RP1400 CNC | Large CNC head and block | EUR 30,900 |
Prices from The Ultimate Tooling (Italy) and Pommee (Netherlands), checked November 2026. European prices may exclude VAT, freight and installation; confirm with the dealer.
Used machine prices (US)
| Machine | Capacity | Asking price |
|---|---|---|
| Comec RP900 MVA CBN resurfacer | 35 in length, 14 in CBN hub | $13,500 |
| Comec RG300/900 CBN head and block resurfacer | 35 in length | $13,650 |
| Berco SPY360/1300 CBN surfacer | Italian-made, working order | $17,850 |
| Berco STC-361 CBN head and block resurfacer | 47 in length, V8 block fixture included | $18,000 |
| Berco SM1300M CBN resurfacer (new in 2011) | 47 in length, 16 in CBN/PCD hub | $22,500 |
| Peterson PG1500 head surfacer | Used | $1,500 or best offer |
Asking prices from Jamison Equipment and eBay. All the Comec and Berco machines listed need 220 to 230 volt three-phase power.
Surface finish: why cheap machines can’t seal modern engines
The biggest reason resurfacing machine prices vary so much is the surface finish each machine can produce. Head gaskets need a finish that matches their design, measured as roughness average (Ra) in microinches, where a lower number is smoother. Fel-Pro, one of the largest gasket makers, publishes these recommendations:
| Engine or gasket type | Recommended finish (Ra) |
|---|---|
| Cast iron block and heads | 60 to 100 |
| Aluminium block and heads | 50 to 60 |
| Original-equipment MLS (multi-layer steel) gaskets | 20 to 30 or less |
| Fel-Pro PermaTorque MLS (thicker coating) | under 60 |
Cometic, another major MLS gasket maker, recommends about 50 Ra or finer. Flatness matters as much as finish: Fel-Pro’s recommended maximum for V8 engines is 0.004 inch along the length and 0.002 inch across the width.
This explains the price ladder. Older belt surfacers, like the $1,500 used Peterson in the table above, are fine for light work but are not designed to produce the smooth, flat finish that OE MLS gaskets need. Trade guidance from engine-building publications favours dry milling with CBN or PCD tooling over wet grinding because it is faster, takes deeper cuts per pass and produces a finer surface. Before buying any machine, new or used, ask for a test cut and check the result with a profilometer rather than by eye or fingernail: a 30 Ra and a 50 Ra finish feel almost identical.
Cylinder head resurfacing machine for sale: where to look and what to check
- New: from manufacturers’ dealers. European dealers publish Comec prices; in the US most new-machine prices are quoted on request.
- Used and reconditioned: specialist engine-rebuilding equipment dealers, such as the US dealer listed above, sell inspected CBN head and block resurfacers with fixtures.
- Marketplaces and auctions: eBay and machinery auctions list older belt surfacers and grinders cheaply, usually sold as-is.
For any used cylinder head milling machine, check: the condition of the table ways and spindle bearings; whether CBN and PCD inserts and the cutter hub are included; which fixtures come with it (V8 block fixture, head rollover fixture); and the power supply it needs.
Buy a head resurfacer or send heads to a machine shop?
The decision comes down to volume. Divide the machine’s price by what you pay a local shop per head to see how many heads it takes to pay for itself, before your own labour, tooling and power. For example, a $13,500 used CBN resurfacer equals:
| If your shop charges per head | Heads to cover $13,500 |
|---|---|
| $100 | 135 |
| $150 | 90 |
| $200 | 68 |
The per-head prices are illustrative; use your own shop’s quote. A business resurfacing a few heads a month will take years to recover the cost, while an engine rebuilder doing several a week can recover it far sooner and gains control over turnaround and finish quality.
What changes the price
- Length capacity: 35-inch machines suit car heads; 47-inch and longer machines take truck heads and V8 blocks.
- Cutting system: CBN/PCD milling heads are the standard for mixed cast iron and aluminium work.
- Controls: CNC versions such as the RP1000 CNC cost about EUR 3,200 more than the manual RP1000.
- Fixtures: block fixtures and head rollover fixtures are often extra. One US dealer lists a new head rollover fixture at $1,485.
Before you buy
- Power: most professional resurfacers need three-phase power, which many small garages do not have.
- Space and floor: large machines are heavy and need a level, solid floor.
- Tooling: check the condition of the cutter head and the cost of replacement CBN and PCD inserts.
- Used checks: ask for a test cut on a sample head, check the table and ways for wear, and confirm which fixtures are included.
- Workload: if you resurface only a few heads a month, sending them to a machine shop may cost less than owning a machine.
FAQs
How much is a cylinder head resurfacing machine? About EUR 8,900 for a small new machine to EUR 30,900 for a large CNC head-and-block model; used US machines from Comec and Berco are about $13,500 to $22,500.
What surface finish does a resurfacing machine need to achieve? It depends on the gasket: about 60 to 100 Ra for composite gaskets on cast iron, and 20 to 30 Ra or less for many original-equipment MLS gaskets, according to Fel-Pro.
Can one machine do heads and blocks? Yes, head-and-block resurfacers such as the Comec RP1000 handle both, provided the length capacity and fixtures fit the block.
See more manufacturing and machine shop equipment prices and how we research prices.
Published November 2026. Sources: The Ultimate Tooling, Pommee, Jamison Equipment , eBay listing, EngineLabs, Fel-Pro deck surface recommendations, EngineLabs on MLS gasket flatness, Engine Builder on surfacing equipment, Brake & Front End resurfacing tech tip and VehicleServicePros. Dealer prices change; confirm before buying.
