Yeah, looking at the two side by side REALLY highlights how ****-poor of an idea 4 aluminum threads really is! Freakin' bean counters...

I'll definately keep everyone posted. I am targeting the end of June to be fully assembly, running, tuned, back on the street collecting break-in miles. That puts me running at the track around end of summer (worst possible time for San Antonio!! ), but that means that good cool fall air is right around the corner and so is FFW Dallas.


I hear that and I'm sort of in the same boat. Since I'm having to do a built bottom end, the heads arleady had to be reinstalled. Once I added up the cost of the collateral investment (gaskets and such) that would have to be repeated for heads "down the road", it became a no-brainer - heads now cost less than heads later.

Herb

 

Do you plan to do anything with the intake manifold? It is worse off of that gasket than the heads. First picture is from when I was about half way on the porting:



This pic was of a finished runner; sorry didn't have the gasket on it at the time:



Just seems like a waist to have some nice heads and an intake that was smaller than the heads stock.

 

The difference in the spark plug holes is amazing.

 

Yeah, I'm taking a die grinder to those. I've heard stories about the maniold cracking in some areas post-port due to the reduces thickeness. Any info about that or any other pointers? If I run out of thingsto do this weekend (yeah right) I need to start working on the lower.

Herb

 

Hum; havn't heard anything about cracking. I don't really see how due to the porting.

Probably the fact someone pulled it off and over tightened/tightened it in the wrong way/style and that caused the problem. Guess I will find out soon.

 

I seem to recall the concern being in going too thin at the injector boss (insert missing smiley scrathing head here).

Herb

 

Herb, how are you doing ? How far along is your build ? Do you have any recent pics of your "new" engine bay ?


P.S. Hows that leg ?

 

Hey Clay - knee's are better, but the weather plays with them a bit. I think my trouble with them is going to be chronic.

The engine bay is still real empty, but I'm getting back into the groove of working on it again. Work's been a killer, pulling ALL my free time away.

Unfortunately, the old pics are the same as the recent one would be.

Herb

 

Hey, I know its hard to be patient but health and work are priorities. You'll get it back together soon enough.... I respect the hell out of you for doing it yourself !!!!

And you'll be happy to know I'm trying to blow mine up and when I do I'm letting you do the remove and install I'll pay top dollar for help :

 

Thanks for the encouragement

I've got the removal down pretty good. With any luck, I have experience with the reinstall before you need my services

If (Ok - when) it happens, I'd be happy to help!

Herb

 

Herb, Protect for a 4mm wall thickness and you'll be good to go. (0.160")

Rich

 

Thanks Rich!

I'm starting to dust off some parts, so I'll be playing with this soon.

Herb

 

Do you guys know where can i find a real good stage 3 heads and cams for a 5.4 3v stock engine with a whipple s/c 8psi ? Price it is not an issue, i am just looking for the best heads and cams on the market. Thanks a lot guys.

 

Fox Lake

 

Fox Lake what ?? Any link for a website ??