Looking for local port & polish

[Christian1]

I'm in the Mid Michigan area, around Flint and Lapeer mostly (I go back and fourth). I'm looking for a place that can port and polish my cast iron big block heads? If I remember correctly they're 906 heads, but I'd have to double check to be sure. I'm not 100% certain in my ability considering I've never done it, and I just want some quality work done. I don't have the biggest budget in the world, I'm kinda hoping to keep it under the $500-$1,000 mark, but I'd like to know cost too if possible. Just want to have a solid running engine, hoping for 450-500hp, nothing too crazy for a 440...

Any input appreciated, thanks!

~Christian

 

[Newbomb Turk]

Find someone who refuses to polish your ports.

Thats your guy.

 

[Christian1]

Find someone who refuses to polish your ports.

Thats your guy.

Lmao

 

[RustyRatRod]

Lmao

He's not kiddin.

 

[273]

Why not get these heads, $1400 for the pair.

Stealth Aluminum Cylinder Head - COMPLETE - SINGLE HEAD

 

[Newbomb Turk]

He's not kiddin.

Exactly why I didn’t elaborate.

To explain it is a pain in the ***, and I doubt he would believe me anyway.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Exactly why I didn’t elaborate.

To explain it is a pain in the ***, and I doubt he would believe me anyway.

It's ok to polish the chamber and exhaust ports though, right?

 

[Newbomb Turk]

It's ok to polish the chamber and exhaust ports though, right?

That depends on who you ask.

I’m burr finishing the chambers. I’m on the fence about the exhaust ports.

Larry Meaux is one of the best in the business and last I asked he was doing everything in a burr finish and was doing the exhaust and chambers.

He’s very smart and tests everything so I believe him when he says he finds power with a burr finishing everything.

 

[Killer6]

It's ok to polish the chamber and exhaust ports though, right?

Not always chamber-wise, exh.-ports sure,....but it's effect is temporary. Once fuel/oil/combustion residue bonds itself to the metal surface, it behaves as if You didn't do anything. If it's a mill that gets torn down regularly, it cleans up easier/faster, but a long-haul mill it's a waste of time IMO. Getting obviously jagged/rough/sharp features cut down, sure, always. But I've polished chambers & piston crowns 'til a gal could pluck Her eyebrows in 'em, and by 10K everything had a coat of carbon on it anyways, not heavy but just the same.....

 

[Killer6]

That depends on who you ask.

I’m burr finishing the chambers. I’m on the fence about the exhaust ports.

Larry Meaux is one of the best in the business and last I asked he was doing everything in a burr finishing inch and was doing the exhaust and chambers.

He’s very smart and tests everything so I believe him when he says he finds power with a burr finishing everything.

Right, chamber-wise, it depends on the head & fuel quality/orientation.....the worse it is the less polish You'd want....if LM says it,....I believe it, because a lot of heads are fuel pattern challenged. The heat rejection of a mirrored finish just doesn't last, thermal barriers are the real solution, but I don't know what the long-term service life of those really are in critical areas i.e. street/dual purpose.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Not always chamber-wise, exh.-ports sure,....but it's effect is temporary. Once fuel/oil/combustion residue bonds itself to the metal surface, it behaves as if You didn't do anything. If it's a mill that gets torn down regularly, it cleans up easier/faster, but a long-haul mill it's a waste of time IMO. Getting obviously jagged/rough/sharp features cut down, sure, always. But I've polished chambers & piston crowns 'til a gal could pluck Her eyebrows in 'em, and by 10K everything had a coat of carbon on it anyways, not heavy but just the same.....

Well that's not really true, either, because the ports get reshaped and the shape stays the same.

 

[Killer6]

Well that's not really true, either, because the ports get reshaped and the shape stays the same.

I'm simply referring to polishing the finished form, not reshaping the port, of course...

 

[Bodyperson]

I'm not in tune with BB heads but a good 3 angle valve job and some simple pocket porting really wakes up an LA head. Something easily done for a DIY, after the valve job.