jj big shoe Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 I figured since I was putting a new engine in, I'd go ahead and try to make a few improvements. I bought a compressor and some air tools (especially a die grinder) and a Standard Abrasives Deluxe Porting Kit from Summit Racing and went to town on the heads. This gives you an idea of what I started with... Take a look at the rough finish and casting marks on the sides of the exhaust port. The same rough finish is on the intake as well, plus you can see how restricted it is compared to the gasket opening. The valve seats could use a little attention... Here's what I ended up with. Intake - smoothed, edges removed and opened up to match the gasket. Exhaust - sanded and buffed, edges removed. *click the pic - its not showing up in preview for some reason. I lapped the valves to get a good seat on them, but I didn't do much else with the bowl since I don't have junk valves to set in it while I grind and I feel like I'm already pushing my luck near the valve seats anyway. Now that I know what to look for and what abrasive roll or stone to use I'll time myself on the other head just to see. I was doing a port at a time but that means retooling the grinder way too often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 Good stuff, man. Looks like you're doing very well so far! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPath88 Posted August 19, 2007 Share Posted August 19, 2007 Looks good, keep us posted on this one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solid snake Posted August 19, 2007 Share Posted August 19, 2007 Very sweet JJ. So does this mean you are willing to hook us up with porting and polishing at a NPORA members discount price? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jj big shoe Posted August 20, 2007 Author Share Posted August 20, 2007 (edited) Very sweet JJ. So does this mean you are willing to hook us up with porting and polishing at a NPORA members discount price? That depends on what the "discount" price would be. Bear in mind that I'll have to cut Ali in on it since it'll be taking up her spot in the garage. Edited September 18, 2007 by jj big shoe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trogdor Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 Nice job those look great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuong Nguyen Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 Any updates? Pointers, tips, how-to's used? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jj big shoe Posted August 30, 2007 Author Share Posted August 30, 2007 Any updates? Pointers, tips, how-to's used?Not a lot right now. I've finished painting the block and I'm waiting to get my cams back from Schneider Racing so I can start putting everything back together. My neighbor should be getting his engine hoist soon so he can drop a new Ford GT40 crate engine into his Mustang. Once he's done I'll be borrowing the hoist and then the fun really starts.As far as a how-to, there's really not much to it other than doing what people who know more than I do about it have described on the web already. Standard Abrasives has a good tutorial on their site and give you the same info in a brochure packed in their porting kit and www.redz31.com has some info too. The only tips I have are to be sure to clean up you work area often to avoid inhaling so much of the aluminum dust (there's lots of it) and spray a little WD-40 on whatever abrasive you're using at the time. That will keep the aluminum from building up on it as quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuong Nguyen Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 I just started porting mine. I only did the exhaust ports on one head. the only thing left for me to do is get rid of that ridge on the short side radius. Did you have problems with the SA cross buffs? I tested them out and they seem to be too big for the ports or compressor setting/die grinder is set low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark94XE Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Looks great. I'd pay attention to those casting marks in the combustion chambers though. The little high spots could cause hot spots and thus detonation. I'd just smooth them out. Just my 2 cents. Great work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jj big shoe Posted September 18, 2007 Author Share Posted September 18, 2007 (edited) Did you have problems with the SA cross buffs?Yup. Waay too big. I tried to use some Dremel pads (#511) but couldn't attach them to my die grinder so I cut the SA buffs down with tin snips so they would fit. Be sure to lower the output pressure of your compressor when using them. They're not balanced and will bend the aluminum shaft attachment if they spin too fast. I did take some of the ridge out of the bowls on one head, but the casting ridge on the other is really pitted so grinding it smooth would probably lower the compression on that side so I opted to knock the high spots down and call it good. Edited September 18, 2007 by jj big shoe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuong Nguyen Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 The exhaust port is really difficult to work with compared to the intake ports! I'm planning on picking up some dremel peices to finish the exhausts up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jj big shoe Posted September 21, 2007 Author Share Posted September 21, 2007 ^^^Yeah, especially around the valve guides. It's just about impossible to get a buff in some spots, so I used a tapered cartridge roll that was really worn down as a buff to get into the tight spots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark94XE Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 That's all I was trying to get across. Knock down the high spots and you should be good. Great work. You should get at least a little increase in power from a mild port job. Most of my experience is with Datsun L series sixes, and you can see a noticable difference with a mild port job. Hopefully the increase will be substantial with the aftermarket cams. What are the cam specs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jj big shoe Posted September 22, 2007 Author Share Posted September 22, 2007 The cams are 262/.420". I bought a new set of matching springs, but I've been back and forth about the lifters. I know I should get a new set, but half the old ones look like they could be resurfaced and reused so I'm tempted *cheap bastid*. Every little bit helps, but I think most of my HP "increase" will actually come from swapping out the 200k+ engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slick Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 mine next! lookin good JJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jj big shoe Posted September 22, 2007 Author Share Posted September 22, 2007 mine next! Which one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slick Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 Which one? take yer pick lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earth1 Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 So you are using new stock springs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jj big shoe Posted October 7, 2007 Author Share Posted October 7, 2007 No, I got a set from Schneider that goes with cams. I also bit the bullet and bought all new lifters. Here's a couple updated shots of "The Great Pumpkin". I'm trying to get on with it and have it in before my planned wheeling trip in mid Nov. but we'll see. Every time I make plans that have anything to do with fun, life somehow seems to get in the way an eff it all up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark94XE Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 Lookin good I can't wait to hear what kind of power increase you realize. I have a spare motor and tranny crying for a rebuild, but I'm a sucker for the small block chevy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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