Mystery problem with head solved!

[HorneDogg]

Guys I have solved the issue with my compression and I have found what I believe to be the root cause of all my issues. I finally was able to get the heads off of my car. It was a tiring task let me tell you. I didn't pull the engine but I think I am going to pull the block for assembly just because it was a pain in the ass to get the valve covers and heads off!

For the findings, are sitting down? You should be, starting with the passenger side head findings:

Cylinder #2 had an exhaust valve that was only seating 65% of the seat. Showed signs of leaking back into the intake upon combustion.

Drivers side head, this is where my jam hit the floor and my temper hit the moon! The two inside cylinders spark plugs have appeared to have been cross threaded and tightened down extremely to much. So much so that there is a visible crack on both going from the spark plug threads to a valve seat. I don't know if it is repair able or not yet. I talked with a machinist friend in my home state that said he could make it like new with no problems!

Other than that the pistons are in great shape and so is everything else, found some other heads but I kind of want to see if I can get these fixed. If not, if anyone knows where I could pickup a junkyard set to have worked please let me know ASAP.

After I find a set of heads and get them ready I wanted to see who would be interested in a get together at my house for a re-assembly party and get everything knocked out and ready to fire up! Food and beers will be on me!


3037530376
Thanks 30377


Jamie Horne "HorneDogg"
BFE Quincy, Washington
2004 Black Mercury Marauder
2011 Silica Black Pearl Subara Outback
2005 Blue Onyx Pearl Scion xB
1978 Chevy C10 4X4
1974 Pontiac Ventura Custom

[J-MAN]

I was just going to suggest that might be your problem.

[HorneDogg]

Yeah i kind of had a feeling i was going to find something like this.

[tbone]

Ya gotta buy her dinner first.;)

[HorneDogg]

Yeah i plan on upgrading her though, hell i pretty much put a ring on her finger already, the actual wife already refers to her as my mistress. LOL!

[breeze]

Just went through this. Both heads came off. Fully dressed it 4times to only take all part because cams were wrong.

[HorneDogg]

Here are some pics of the drivers side head with cracks. 3037830379303803038130382




Jamie Horne "HorneDogg"
BFE Quincy, Washington
2004 Black Mercury Marauder
2011 Silica Black Pearl Subara Outback
2005 Blue Onyx Pearl Scion xB
1978 Chevy C10 4X4
1974 Pontiac Ventura Custom

[HorneDogg]

Dropped the heads off at the machine shop today. Should know something by the end of this week. Driver's side head has to go to a special welding fabrication shop in spokane and they will determine if it can be fixed or not. Now i have to go and buy a motor stand and rent the cherry picker so i can pull the block out for re-assembly.

[Mike M]

That crack look like it might be a tough one to fix.

Keep us posted.

[HorneDogg]

Found a head today and bought it. It was used but it only cast me 252.88 including shipping.

I also ordered the following from MMR;
1set of Extreme Heavy Duty Racing Viton Valve Seals.
a set of Bronze Valve guides
a set of Stainless Steel valves
These along with the Manley Valve Springs should make some nice additional Ponies
Also ordered the Billet Cam Spacers.
ARP Head Studs
ARP Harmonic Balancer Bolt
Rear cooling mod fittings ~12AN
PHP Intake Spacer
Also having the machine shop take .030 off the head to give it a little increase in compression.
Hoping to hit 500 hp or close to it.

[babbage]

Found a head today and bought it. It was used but it only cast me 252.88 including shipping.

I also ordered the following from MMR;
1set of Extreme Heavy Duty Racing Viton Valve Seals.
a set of Bronze Valve guides
a set of Stainless Steel valves
These along with the Manley Valve Springs should make some nice additional Ponies
Also ordered the Billet Cam Spacers.
ARP Head Studs
ARP Harmonic Balancer Bolt
Rear cooling mod fittings ~12AN
PHP Intake Spacer
Also having the machine shop take .030 off the head to give it a little increase in compression.
Hoping to hit 500 hp or close to it.

Nice list, how much bump do you get from decking .030? Hope it goes well for you.

[RacerX]

Not much. Mine were decked .030. I believe it raises it abou .4cr. It also changes your timing slightly which could rob you of power if you don't degree the cams. When you deck the heads, it literally brings the cams closer to the crank changing the timing events. SS valves, etc. won't get you more hp. Larger valves, valve seats, higher lift/longer duration cams, etc. would.
Good luck! :beer:

[HorneDogg]

I have been searching for some gt super car cams but would probably settle for some cobra cams.

So racerx your suggesting that I not do the .030 shave? It would save me $120.00 if I didn't have them shaved, I guess I will just see what the Machine shop let's me know and if they need it, then I might head down that road.


Jamie Horne "HorneDogg"
BFE Quincy, Washington
2004 Black Mercury Marauder
2011 Silica Black Pearl Subara Outback
2005 Blue Onyx Pearl Scion xB
1978 Chevy C10 4X4
1974 Pontiac Ventura Custom

[RacerX]

Not worth it if you are trying to get extra hp. If the heads are warped at all and need it, just do what's necessary to clean them up. There's better cams out there than those btw. I'd look at Bullet, Comp or Crower cams. Preferably a custom grind for what you plan on doing with the engine in it's final phase.

[HorneDogg]

I would like fort MM to have a nice deep throated loping sound. I will have to check those cams out.


Jamie Horne "HorneDogg"
BFE Quincy, Washington
2004 Black Mercury Marauder
2011 Silica Black Pearl Subara Outback
2005 Blue Onyx Pearl Scion xB
1978 Chevy C10 4X4
1974 Pontiac Ventura Custom

[HorneDogg]

Finally found a good head and should have it next week and delivered to the machine shop to get all the upgrades

MMR Stainless Steel Valves
Manley Valve springs from MMR
MMR Bronze Valve Guides
MMR Extreme Heavy Duty Viton Valve Seals
MMR Billet Aluminum Cam Spacers
MMR -12 Billet Aluminum Rear Cooling Mod Inserts

Also bought the ARP Head Studs and Crank Bolt, along with the 3/4" Billet Aluminum Intake Spacer.

Can't wait to get this motor back together!


Jamie Horne "HorneDogg"
BFE Quincy, Washington
2004 Black Mercury Marauder
2011 Silica Black Pearl Subara Outback
2005 Blue Onyx Pearl Scion xB
1978 Chevy C10 4X4
1974 Pontiac Ventura Custom

[RacerX]

Nice parts. Any cam changes while you're in there.

[HorneDogg]

Nope I didn't get to get a set of cams. New head will be delivered to the machine shop tomorrow and should have them back in about a week or so.


Jamie Horne "HorneDogg"
BFE Quincy, Washington
2004 Black Mercury Marauder
2011 Silica Black Pearl Subara Outback
2005 Blue Onyx Pearl Scion xB
1978 Chevy C10 4X4
1974 Pontiac Ventura Custom

[HorneDogg]

Heads are at the machine shop and should be ready to go next week. I have to get all the gaskets and pull the engine block and start re-assembly.


Jamie Horne "HorneDogg"
BFE Quincy, Washington
2004 Black Mercury Marauder
2011 Silica Black Pearl Subara Outback
2005 Blue Onyx Pearl Scion xB
1978 Chevy C10 4X4
1974 Pontiac Ventura Custom