ProComp/Speedmaster aluminum heads

-
I'm going to bring this up on my own Thread about these heads. At this new price point$820 to the door I can no longer indulge conversations with people wanting to put large amounts of money into a cast-iron heads LA and Magnum heads...
 
I'm going to bring this up on my own Thread about these heads. At this new price point$820 to the door I can no longer indulge conversations with people wanting to put large amounts of money into a cast-iron heads LA and Magnum heads...
Now that is just to funny.
but he keeps showing up, though! I just got a "disagree" from him on that thread! LOL :D
:rofl:
 
Until the shops you use close up.

But then I guess you’ll just find another one.
They’re all the same, right?

Just like everyone who does heads does them just as good as you would.

And who(besides you) said anything about waiting a long time?

Well I've been calling local cylinder head shops and there's plenty here. In no danger of running out..
First guy I talked to kind of talk to me like I was a bit stupid because I'm trying to have brand new in the box heads checked out? He commented he wishes he could sell them that way... He said but they're new? He said they would probably lay around here for at least a week waiting for somebody to look at them.. then suggested a couple other people...
Second guy called cylinder head shop by name, again I was questioning why I would think that I would need brand new in the box assembled heads looked at? He said I could put them on his counter and he could waive his hand over them was his comment... he said likely they would just take a couple Springs off and make sure they're lubricated and such.. you could almost hear him laughing and shaking his head like bring them in I'll take your money...
THIS IS EXACTLY WHY I LIKE TO TRY AND DO STUFF MYSELF IF I CAN...
It's not that I don't have the money for a simple check it's when you call and they come off so Superior because they have all their fancy equipment and knowledge...
really? You call a professional reputable shop and he talks about waving his hand over it....
 
Well, what did u think was gonna happen? Those down home folks don’t want u wasting ur hard earned Benjamin’s on simply good parts. Kim
 
And please remember when I call these shops I have my most professional straightforward good attitude. And tell them exactly what I got, exactly everything I know about it. Also what the vendors expectations are.
 
It’s almost laughable that they didn’t care to have/do the work. U know who not to go to for anything again. Kim
At this point I'm more wanting to ask Pittsburgh again where the hell he got his straight edge at...
By a long shot it's not like I've never lapped a valve or bolted some heads on. and quite honestly by my eye inspection I see not a damn thing wrong with these things.. and to be even more honest I would say their Jewels if it wasn't for all the naysayers riding around in my head..
 
U need a machinest’s straight edge. A regular 1 isn’t nearly precise. I checked guide clearance in my CNCed heads and they fit pretty nice. I’m happy. They were Procomp valves. Kim
 
U need a machinest’s straight edge. A regular 1 isn’t nearly precise. I checked guide clearance in my CNCed heads and they fit pretty nice. Kim

What's the recommended range for the valve guide clearance for 5/16 or 3/8 valve stems? I have a tendency to set stuff like that up on the tight side from my experience rebuilding mills, lathes, and high speed manufacturing equipment. I realize that a tight slip fit isn't always the answer. Any difference for cast iron vs bronze guides?
 
I never measured mine. I just liked the way they felt when sliding them in and out and trying the wiggle test. I know from experience that their not too tight or too loose. I think it’s 1 1/2 on intake and 2 on exhaust. Kim
 
U need a machinest’s straight edge. A regular 1 isn’t nearly precise. I checked guide clearance in my CNCed heads and they fit pretty nice. I’m happy. They were Procomp valves. Kim
Yes I'm already at in my brain spending my money on a machinist straight edge then some smartass..
 
Well I've been calling local cylinder head shops and there's plenty here. In no danger of running out..
First guy I talked to kind of talk to me like I was a bit stupid because I'm trying to have brand new in the box heads checked out? He commented he wishes he could sell them that way... He said but they're new? He said they would probably lay around here for at least a week waiting for somebody to look at them.. then suggested a couple other people...
Second guy called cylinder head shop by name, again I was questioning why I would think that I would need brand new in the box assembled heads looked at? He said I could put them on his counter and he could waive his hand over them was his comment... he said likely they would just take a couple Springs off and make sure they're lubricated and such.. you could almost hear him laughing and shaking his head like bring them in I'll take your money...
THIS IS EXACTLY WHY I LIKE TO TRY AND DO STUFF MYSELF IF I CAN...
It's not that I don't have the money for a simple check it's when you call and they come off so Superior because they have all their fancy equipment and knowledge...
really? You call a professional reputable shop and he talks about waving his hand over it....


I can tell you that we never, ever and by ever I mean NEVER took a set of heads out of a box and bolted them on. Ever. Didn't matter if we ordered the heads, or a customer brought them in.

Too much stuff happens. Dirt gets in there. Metal chips that didn't get washed and blown out migrate around while being shipped and make their way into places you'd never think.

Sometimes the decks aren't very nice. Most of the time, even with "CNC" chambers, you find the chambers aren't the size they should be. I've also seen guides that were actually hour glassed shaped. That happens when the guide is finished before its pressed into the head. If you check the guide I.D. just by wiggling the valve, it will feel pretty good but when you put a dial bore gauge in there and find it.

I could go on and on about the stuff you see when looking at new heads. Check every head, every time. I've seen valve jobs so wacky you'd be stunned. One set came in and the valves were sealed. When I took them apart, the seats were cut with tool bit, but they were so out of round, they hit the seat with a stone. Which is why they sealed. The bad thing is, the seat was .125 wide.

So I'd say keep calling a shop until you find one that doesn't insult your intelligence when you tell,them you want them to look at new heads.

Just my .02
 
I never had any intention of running them completely out of the box without a thorough cleaning and inspection by at least me if not better. At this point I'm considering a machinist straight edge and my own dial gauge...
 
Good advice from the YR and a good move on your own behalf IMO. If you were close by, I’d tell you to stop over and I’d hand you the tools. Throw it up on my bench and have a look.
 
Good advice from the YR and a good move on your own behalf IMO. If you were close by, I’d tell you to stop over and I’d hand you the tools. Throw it up on my bench and have a look.


That’s what I did for my buddy with the ProMaxx heads. I took two valve out and did the free flow testing for him. Then I recommended for him to take each valve out and we would check them over together. He wasn’t interested so after we flow tested them he was on his way home. Ohhhh well.
 
I have 1 buddy that absolutely will not have any new part checked. His favourite line is: I don’t care what u think, it’s gonna run good. And he was right, it did and he never had a problem. Kim
 
That’s what I did for my buddy with the ProMaxx heads. I took two valve out and did the free flow testing for him. Then I recommended for him to take each valve out and we would check them over together. He wasn’t interested so after we flow tested them he was on his way home. Ohhhh well.
Lol..
 
-
Back
Top