How to destroy $3000 worth of machinery with a 10 cent washer.
 

I was chasing a small vacuum leak and removed the intake from the engine. I have the washers that came with the FAST under the manifold cap screws to help spread the load. When I took the manifold off I didn't notice but one of the washers came off the cap screw and rolled right into the number 7 hole. The valve must have been wide open because the damage is only in the cylinder. the bowls are clean.
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It was late, I was tired, and I've had this manifold on and off so many times I was sloppy. Below are some pics that will tell the story a little better.
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I am sussing the situation with Tony Mamo and as soon as we know more I'll post up on the direction I'm going to go with. I don't have much money right now, so I'm thinking Forged 347, or if Tony can do some magic on the heads maybe a forged 402. More will be revealed...
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The major damage to the head
http://i12.tinypic.com/4mck0o2.jpg
cylinder - crack on the right, gouge on the left, broken ring land in center
http://i12.tinypic.com/6cq14k4.jpg
closeup of broken ring land
http://i12.tinypic.com/6fhvk2f.jpg
custom valve reliefs
http://i14.tinypic.com/4yt5q1z.jpg
overall shot of the chamber - note the minor damage on the top quench pad
http://i18.tinypic.com/507q4qx.jpg
the sucker that made this all possible - with my help...
http://i19.tinypic.com/54jt5b6.jpg
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How's that for shooting yourself in the foot? I'll document this as I go along, the teardown, build-up, etc. Might as well fess up and publicize it..
Too bad, it was a sweet running motor... The next one will be :D

I feel for you brother. My problems are little ones compared to your's
Good luck :thumbs:
:cheers:
Sleeper

At least you can reuse the spark plug. ;)

Did the same thing on a Ls6 motor but it was a harden washer and the piston broke! :withstupid: Sorry i feel your pain!

Thanks, I need a laugh.:thumbs: Actually the other 7 are gtg too.:cheers:

Can that head be welded and remachined?

WOW. That sucks big time:ack:

Feel for ya, bro. Did the exact same thing years ago and dropped a tiny screw down a sparkplug hole on my Suzuki GS1150. Good luck with the rebuild. :thumbs:

You are living one of my phobias, I'm so paranoid about things falling into the head ports when I pull my intakes or carbs. Sorry dude, you will get it back together and will just be an unpleasant memory soon.

Dayum! :ack: Sorry to see that Roger. :(

Well, like the others said, you'll have her better than ever soon. :cheers:

Robert

Guys,

As I have already shared with Roger via PM, head is completely salvageable (seen MUCH worse)....

I will fix them and port them for even more flow....if Roger installs them back on a 347 he will be smiling....if he installs them on a stroker he will be smiling even more.

After the wallet heals I know he will say dropping that washer down the intake port is one of the best things he's done in awhile...LOL

When my stuff breaks, it always goes back together with more power than before. It really helps the healing process!!

The higher powers must have known it was time for more "modding"!

Roger, call me during the week so we can discuss some of your options but like I mentioned in my PM I already have a handle of the direction we need to go.

Best regards,
Tony

Wow, sorry to see that. Hope your new setup makes you :D

Oh, F***!

That sucks bro:ack: :thumbs: to you for admiting the mistake and sharing for others to not make that mistake. If we could just get everyone here to chip in a nickel, it would pay for most if not all of your repair costs:cheers:

:iagree: I feel for ya man......

:ack: :leaving:

Roger,
when you say the washer was under the manifold cap screw, you mean the washer was on top of the manifold under the scread head ?

Or under the manifold against the gasket?

I think you mean on top of the manifold.

I just got the FAST screws from thunder today.

I could just imagin your WTF expression when you hear the noise after all the work you did with that motor. sorry

Good luck with the repair :thumbs:

Chuck

So you are saying if we want more power, all we have to do is pop a washer in the intake, and call you in the morning? :lol:

Phil you are correct. The washer was under the cap of the bolt and on top of the boss. In between the bolt and the manifold. I think it was the rear driver's side. The one that you have to leave in until you remove the manifold because of the cowl. I found one on the garage floor in the morning. I never thought to check to see that the washer was on it. It was some noise too! My neigbors came running over to see what happened. Sounded like I ran over some wrenches with my lawn mower.