Looking for a good machine shop...

[Alacran]

...to get the heads ready. Any recommendations?

Spring seats need to be machined, valves and seats checked, and cleaned up.

TIA

Nick

 

[skeezer]

This is where I would take my heads.

Hi-Flow Heads
Cylinder Head Hand Porting and Machining
Contact Mike Hally @ 708-396-0505
Alsip, IL

 

[Marble_Sharp]

This is where I would take my heads.

Hi-Flow Heads
Cylinder Head Hand Porting and Machining
Contact Mike Hally @ 708-396-0505
Alsip, IL

I second Mike @ Hi-Flow Heads.

 

[wikidblus10]

talk to tony @ aes in elk grove ..... 847-956-1244 .... http://www.aesracing.net/

 

[Alacran]

Thanks guys,
my buddy's dad has a race engine shop and is going to hook us up. Took the heads over on Sunday, the valves are ok and the heads are flat. He doubts it needs a valve job but will let me know if they do. we need to machine about 0.030" off each intake spring pocket for more coil bind clearance.

So i am good for now.

 

[machausta]

talk to tony @ aes in elk grove ..... 847-956-1244 .... http://www.aesracing.net/

These guys reworked my heads, they do first class work.

 

[Alacran]

TTT got the heads back together. Found one intake valve bent and it was replaced but now i have one intake leaking water when the intake runner in the head is filled with water.

Any advise? I am going to call the guys mentioned above to see what they say.

The machine shop i took them to, told me that all of the valve "suck up" or draw vacuum.

I found the intake valve leaking after i tore the heads down to add shims and i did not bother to leak test the valves first.

 

[10sec]

Yar, I would send them out again and get a valve job done. After that I would make sure the machine shop decks them anyways because I will put all the money in my bank that those heads are out more than .005 from middle to end because that's the way it is. You should really find a reputable shop to do stuff like this (unless you can do it on your own) because stupid shit like that doesn't get done. Now you're out another week at least until another place actually fixes what's wrong like it should have been done in the first place.

 

[blakbearddelite]

AES was recommended to me to machine some stuff.

 

[TURBOC1]

I would look at other places then AES. At work I send all my heads to http://www.f-c-r.com/. They are cheap and do great work, talk with matt.

 

[Alacran]

I dropped it off last night so we will see how it turns out. They are going to cut the valve to make sure it is straight and lap the seat or something else depending on what is causing the leak but so far they are going to work on that one hole.

 

[Alacran]

the head is done and my ass hurts a bit. perhaps i will post after i pick it up.

 

[Alacran]

yup, there was shim missing and the install heights on that hole were off. i am glad the intake does not leak but for the $$$ it should have been perfect.

 

[Turbocharged400sbc]

woulda hurt a bit more if they had to replace the seats

 

[phat_ridegt]

3800 heads?

 

[Alacran]

3800 heads?

SBC heads.

@Turbo, i can only imagine how much more $$$ it would cost replace a seat.

I guess the big lesson learned here is to make sure to double check someone's work.

 

[Alacran]

Never mind, i found the problem....me.

I measured install height on everything with one set of hardware, assuming they were all the same. turns out they are not. not sure if the variability is in the retainer or the valve locks yet as i am still trying to figure it out. so, my bad and i am sorry.

 

[Turbocharged400sbc]

your not referring to a rotating retainer are ya? lots of sbc heads came with them

 

[Alacran]

your not referring to a rotating retainer are ya? lots of sbc heads came with them

no, its a steel beehive retainer. i worked on the head some last night. its an art trying to get the right shim, retainer, and locator to the desired install height. I finished all but one exhaust valve because it was 0.005" too tight.