Can this head be fixed?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 216
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From: Sacramento CA
Can this head be fixed?
This is a Holley aluminum head. #6 ate a carb stud and did some damage.
Any opinions if a machine shop can save this?
Does not look like it hurt the intake port going down
Any opinions if a machine shop can save this?
Does not look like it hurt the intake port going down
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Palm Springs, CA.
Re: Can this head be fixed? (ram82fire)
:iagree: :iagree: :iagree:
Easily repairable, the cosmetic damage won't be a problem. Replace the valves & seats if necessary, back in the race.
Easily repairable, the cosmetic damage won't be a problem. Replace the valves & seats if necessary, back in the race.
Team Owner
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Re: Can this head be fixed? (Captain Morgan)
They should be able to smooth that out and replace the valve seats if necessary.
Worst case is they would weld over the area and then mill it back down.
I would be more worried about the cylinder bore and piston.
Worst case is they would weld over the area and then mill it back down.
I would be more worried about the cylinder bore and piston.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Sacramento CA
Re: Can this head be fixed? (Captain Morgan)
Actually, the piston and rod were destroyed. The cyl wall has a chunk missing. Crank still looks good. I may magnaflux the crank/block and re-sleave it. It was a 383
The piston was a TRW forged flattop. Anyone kow where I can buy just one piston? Only 3k miles on em.
Also, I was worried if a shop blends out all those ridges, the volume of that head will be higher, thus giving me un-even compression. Would they not have to do the same work to every cyl on the head?
The piston was a TRW forged flattop. Anyone kow where I can buy just one piston? Only 3k miles on em.
Also, I was worried if a shop blends out all those ridges, the volume of that head will be higher, thus giving me un-even compression. Would they not have to do the same work to every cyl on the head?
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From: Hoosier
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Re: Can this head be fixed? (Weird Science)
Also, I was worried if a shop blends out all those ridges, the volume of that head will be higher, thus giving me un-even compression. Would they not have to do the same work to every cyl on the head?
I would first use a carbide rotary file (some call it a burr) and clean up all or any cracking. Then have it welded.
Then make templates off the other chambers and carefully match the welded one with the roatary file. To finish use a cc measure to smooth blend back so you have the same volumne as the others.
Tedious, but very doable. :yesnod:
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: SIMI VALLEY CA
Re: Can this head be fixed? (Weird Science)
The piston was a TRW forged flattop. Anyone kow where I can buy just one piston? Only 3k miles on em.
[Modified by JIM, 3:37 PM 5/12/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
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From: Wisconsin
Re: Can this head be fixed? (aqua80)
Very easy to fix, I wouldn't worry about it. My dad bought a set of big Brownfield aluminum heads for $100 a while ago (I think it was almost 20 years now, I'm 18 and I'm starting to feel old remembering the 80's and all...) and it had a crack running up the valve stem and that could easily be fixed. Also needs some new brass guides but that is beside the point.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Sacramento CA
Re: Can this head be fixed? (Weird Science)
Well, I found a shop that is fixing it for $150. A couple other shops I tried didn't want to touch it. This guy showed me some of his work repairing alum heads so I told him to go for it.
A properly repaired head is not half-assed. $150 vs $600 for a new one makes the choice an easy one.
The only problem is these heads are 185cc intake.. CHP says they flow good, but I have a couple 400 blocks and think they may be a bit small for a 406. Would prob work great on a 350 or 383 though so I may be selling them.
A properly repaired head is not half-assed. $150 vs $600 for a new one makes the choice an easy one.
The only problem is these heads are 185cc intake.. CHP says they flow good, but I have a couple 400 blocks and think they may be a bit small for a 406. Would prob work great on a 350 or 383 though so I may be selling them.