Basic Head P&P Tools.

[Taheen]

I know without a flowbench I shouldn't be trying any of this but whatever, it's something fun for me to try. And hell, even if I ruin a head or two it'll be worth the learning experience and play time.

I'm not looking to re-shape the runners or anything serious, just wanting to polish the chambers (without removing any extra material or reshaping), polish the exhaust runners, and gasket match the intake to the heads. I know not to polish the intake side of the head, to just smooth it out to ~40 grit right? Keep it so it isn't too smooth.

I don't want to reshape and loose velocity or get into areas I don't understand. Trying to be realistic with a fun project.

Anyway, I have a dremel 15k/30krpm tool that has served me well in the past for misc projects. But I'm hearing and thinking that it isn't enough power to get the job done on cast iron heads.

Would a small 1/2 hp die grinder have a bit more control and power to it?

Feel free to tell me I'm an idiot and not going to see any gains. :)

[ssms5411]

Re: Basic Head P&P Tools.

This is what I read up on and used,
http://www.sa-motorsports.com/diyport.aspx

I'll find out what my flow #'s are when the shop mills the heads .010". I hope sometime in the next 2 weeks since its X-Mas and all.

[ssms5411]

Re: Basic Head P&P Tools.

Even has it as a PDF you can download. Really helpfull.

[97rs4life]

Re: Basic Head P&P Tools.

yea that site is a great guide to how it should be done. I have read that in the past

[Taheen]

Re: Basic Head P&P Tools.

Think I will order this grinder: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=44141

After reading the little review here: http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/real...ighlight=44141

I have had a hit and miss with HF, lots and lots of junk but now and then they have a gem. Not like I need a $300 grinder.

[ssms5411]

Re: Basic Head P&P Tools.

yea that site is a great guide to how it should be done. I have read that in the past

Thats what I followed, I think they came out pretty nice. I'll post some pics and flow #'s when I get them back. I'm putting in some SI stock valves, Viton valve guides and Comp 105 # springs and steel retainers. I also ported my TB under the MAF and did some porting and polishing on some upper/lower intakes. It gets boring being home all the time, so I go out and work a little in the garage about 20-30 minutes at a time throughout the day.

[ssms5411]

Re: Basic Head P&P Tools.

Think I will order this grinder: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=44141

After reading the little review here: http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/real...ighlight=44141

I have had a hit and miss with HF, lots and lots of junk but now and then they have a gem. Not like I need a $300 grinder.

I used alot of habor freight tools, polishing, grinding stones and bits, can't beat the prices.

[Taheen]

Re: Basic Head P&P Tools.

Old toy I used to have, another HF gem. :) Then again most everything HF about it was replaced, bearings, motor, table, saddle, base, gibs, etc.



I miss that little guy.

Anyway, sidetracked there. So you think a small electric die grinder like that should be enough to work on the cast iron heads? I like the look of it since it will be really easy to handle two-handed, long snout, and won't tax my compressor.

Love that article btw. :) Can't wait to start playing with the spare set of heads. Plan is to do light work like mentioned in the top post, have a shop do a 3-angle valve job, put on some new springs and have a nice drop-in ready set of heads for a cam swap down the line.

[ssms5411]

Re: Basic Head P&P Tools.

It says it max speed is 25,000 rpm which is good enough for your polishing/porting etc, 1/4 shank good for their stones. I think it would be enough for what your doing. For $30, not bad unless you want to buy a actual dremel. I used a die grinder running off my compressor on some of the intake sides, then went to the dremel on the detailed stuff. Exhaust sides I used only the dremel, along with doing the bowls. You'll noticed on the intake side the humps on the bottom, I used the die grinder to make them even and finished them up with the dremel. Good luck to you and take your time.

[Taheen]

Re: Basic Head P&P Tools.

I have this dremel allready: http://www.dremel.com/en-us/tools/to...=66981&I=69675

Or at least an older version of that one, 15000 and 30000rpm, 1/8" shank. That pretty close to the dremel you used on yours?

[ssms5411]

Re: Basic Head P&P Tools.

I used the dremel most of the time on a low setting when I was doing the detailed stuff. Most of my bits came from habor frieght, they have some diamond little bits 50pc(I think) came in handy, all kinds of different end shapes to get the little spots. My dremel has like 6-8 settings, I think, I would put it on like 2 or 3 setting when I was getting in the tough spots and polishing. I think your set using that dremel you got. I also got a grinding /polishing kit for the die grinder from harbor frieght, 9 pc, I think for like $10-$12, came in handy.

[Forced_Firebird]

Re: Basic Head P&P Tools.

I wouold suggest getting the larger motor tool for iron heads. The Dremmel works good on aluminum, but can't see it lasting very long on iron. I use a Dremmel and Roto-Zip when at home and a die grinder when I'm at the machine shop. (GC during the day and CNC machinist/engine builder at night), but again I mainly work on aluminum 3x00 60* heads/manifolds.

I love HF, as long as you maintain and take care of their tools, they last. Got a t-nailer and a chipping hammer from them and have beat the crap out of them (keep them oiled/greased) and they have performed flawlessly for 1/4 to 1/2 the price of name-brand stuff. I also have an impact from them for 3yrs, have never oiled it and hasn't failed yet - I figured for $20 it was a beat-on and throw-away *but* it won't die!

[ssms5411]

Re: Basic Head P&P Tools.

I used the die grinder on the heavier areas, so I wouldn't use up my dremel. Then touched up everything using the dremel on low speeds, so I wouldn't burn it up. I think it worked pretty well, switching off between the two. Nothing died or broke.LOL, HF FTW