Cyl head porting / polishing

[82-T/A [Work]]

Hey guys,

I'm about to take my engine apart (again). I originally slapped it together with a Phase-2 cam, pistons that gave me slightly decreased compression, and the bottom end wasn't as balanced as I would have liked. The 2.8 was converted to a 3.1 with a stroker kit. I didn't really do my full homework.

I'm planning on going with a Crane or Comp cam, either a 2030 with 1.6:1s, or the H272 with 1.52:1s.

Anyway, in the mean time, I have several spare cyl heads. I'd like to give one of them a really good port and polish job. My goal is to hopefully improve power throughout the whole range, but I suspect most of what i gain is in the low to mid rpm. I know how difficult it is to gain additional power in the top-end with the gen-1 cyl heads. (which I am sticking with cause I want it to look stock when it's done).

Can anyone direct me to possibly a good writeup for polishing / porting the intake / exhaust ports, as well as the combustion bowl?


Thanks!

Todd,
2002 Ford Crown Victoria LX
1997 Pontiac Grand Am GT
1987 Pontiac Fiero SE / V6 5-Speed
1987 Pontiac Fiero SE / V6 Auto
1984 Pontiac Fiero 2m4 SE WS6
1981 Pontiac TransAm WS6
1973 Volkswagen Type-2 Transporter

[614streets]

Hi

Hi there. Be cautious to run a bigger cam with low compression. Actually porting your heads with a lack of compression could cause you more problems. If you do want to port the heads concentrate on the exhaust side! The Gen I heads get a bad rap , they actually work very well. The problem lies with intake manifolds on the gen I's with the exception of the excellent MPFI manifold. For carburetion the Offenhauser is the one to grab. The edelbrock only works best in conjuntion with the whole edelbrock package, but even at that the word best is pretty lame.


If you would like I can give you some tips and I can share both my porting and that of Bob Mcray. If you can order a custom set of flat top 3.1 pistons you can really get things going in such a way that will leave you more satisfied than a new cam swap. w

[82-T/A [Work]]

Hey, thanks for responding, I appreciate it.

My plan was to deck the heads by .010. I was told that this would bring me up to about 9.1:1 compression with the pistons. (Current compression is 8.5:1).

How much are custom pistons? I would much rather go that route if I can.. if it's not TOO pricey. I don't mind having my lower intake and heads shaved, I have several spares.

I'd like to see any information you can give me on cyl head porting..
Especially if you have pictures...


thanks!

[bszopi]

Normally, aftermarket custom forged piston run around $600 for the set. Pretty reasonable if you ask me... There are several different companies that will do them, but probably the most common for this engine would be Ross Racing.

[614streets]

ok bare with me as soon as I get a little time I will try to post the pictures.

[614streets]

My heads It would take an Iron header to see the custom work on it. Works well with flat tops on a blower bigger ccs, super unshrouded ex (Gm casted this slightly in the ho heads, minor factory, hi po here) Gotta get the tris and boost out

[614streets]

Heads prior to entire port work, 250 mile showroom 90 s10 heads, straight as an arrow , 2 1/2 port kits, simple 2 angle after hot tank

[614streets]

Hey Im just gonna keep this thread going when I get more time, I got more pics of gen 1 heads including
a nasty set of bob mcrays. Till then (my s10 last fall 2003) Still in storage being painted may get to see her
at christmas all painted up , thanks to my younger brother. Im at MMI in orlando right now s10 is in CBUS ohio blocks from any three JEGS.

[614streets]

By the way!!!!! These are not the tips for porting your own head!!!!!
I need to know your cam specs compression , stroke length , n/a , nitrous, blown etc before I can give
you specific personal tips.

[614streets]

Read bold above

[Guest]

614: Hit me up mang. i live close. Maybe we can meet up. I am in the Daytona Area.

Shaun41178@hotmail.com

Shaun

[RednBlack]

This is good info with pics. Don't buy the kit though. You can get most of this stuff from any industrial supply house a lot cheaper. http://www.sa-motorsports.com/diyport.shtm But, if you clic on the "Services" tab on the Front page here, all you need to know is there.

[oil pan 4]

Check out my cardomain site, every bit of work and thought done is my own.
I have pictures of my porting.
I did type some big long post, when I hit submit I got the "web page not found". Of course the typing I did was gone.

[82-T/A [Work]]

Thanks! I really appreciate these pictures. It really helps me out. I would have posted a reply except that I forgot my login. It didn't occure to me that I could just look back at my post to see what my user ID was?! heh.

But your post was helpful in two ways...

1) I am learning / need to learn how to port my cyl heads the right way.

2) I'm installing a patio down the entire length of the side of my house behind the fence.
I was originally going to use large square pavers, but after seeing how the old
rustic brick looks, I've gotta say that it looks way cooler. That's what I'm going to
go with.


Basically, here is what my engine will be. Ultimately, I hope to achieve a 9.0 or 9.1:1
compression. I will probably do this by having the heads shaved (I'll do this after I
port it). I figure a shave of .010 should help.

I want to install the H272 cam with 1.52:1 roller rockers. I'm going to use the stock sized
valves that came with the HO engine. I guess that.s 1.72 intake and 1.5 exhaust?

The engine will also be using the MPFI setup. I would like to maintain awesome low-end
torque, but also help improve the flow in the top end. Mid-rpm power doesn't seem to
be a problem with these motors, so I'm sure whatever I do, that area won't be affected.

With what you've done to your cyl heads, what would you change?

Also, if there's any way you can take a picture of the intake ports, and the exhuast
ports, I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you so much for posting those... it really gives me an idea of where I need to
grind.

Anything you want to add, or any suggestions to my comments of my engine build-up...
I'd really appreciate.


Oh, I won't be using NOS, or going with a turbo or supercharger.

THANKS!!

[oil pan 4]

I checked my files on my computer and it looks like I never took any real pictures of the exhaust work.
All my best pictures are on the cardomain site, there all of intake port and combustion chamber I have a few where and how I blocked off the EGR port, but that's it.
I thought I took some ok pics of the finished intake. oh well.
The heads are back home in Maine all put together wraped up in plastic wrap and sitting on top of my gun safe. Waiting for an engine.
Soon I will put connecting rods and race preping them on there, also turbo exhaust work soon.
Page 8 will be exhaust.
To polish the chambers like I did for my heads was a huge pain in the @ss, I had to order jewler polishing dremal bits off the internet to get that mirror finish.
Polishing the valves like I did, that was not a process for the faint of heart.
If I were to:
Street hog the intakes with a die grinder and smoth them with a dremal
To die grind out the rough iron casting+carbon in the chambers and smoth with a sanding drum and unshrouding the valves (only for a 3.4L).
Rough hog out the exhaust ports and leave them.
I say $150 per head.
That wouldn't include blocking off the EGR, Machining the valve guides, mirroring the combustion chambers or touching the valves.
On my next pair of super heads I was going to make a dubble quinch pad, bigger valves, super7 locks and retainers, install 11/32'' to 5/16'' bronze guide sleves so I can use 5/16'' inch intake valves, do the vaines a little differently, cut the exhaust valve guides higher, anchor the egr blockoff better, use a different filler metal for the egr block off weld, get them milled and may be some more.