2.7 Heads Need a Clean Up - Who Should They Go To?
 

Removing the heads from my block.

'75 S block that was rebuilt 28 years ago, last owner put 11K miles on, parked for at least 25 years.

All the valve rocker clearances were all right on.

However, I would like someone to take them apart and clean them up just to check them. There may or may not be work needed on them. I have no idea. The engine looked like a good build (updated oil pump w/mods, etc) but they cheesed out and put new rings on the KS pistons - they lasted until they didn't. That's why I'm here doing it with new Mahle pistons.

Who do you suggest for this?

I don't want to put the whole thing together with the old heads that have sat for a 1/4 century with new pistons, etc. Pretty much need them disassembled, cleaned and measured up.

Any help on who to send them to would be appreciated.

I don't know where you are, but I sent mine to Craig Garret in Grand Rapids, MI.
Cgarr here on the forum.
Great work.

“cgarr”

How do you know the rings are worn out in only 11,000 miles? Did you do a compression and/or leak down test?
How much have you disassembled so far?

I’m getting mine back on my 1977 2.7 from Craig here this week

Never said the rings were warn. They re-ringed the KS Alusils and the walls started to break up and score. :(

Thanks guys for the help. I will reach out to him. I do appreciate it as I have been out of it for a bit and FINALLY going to get this engine together.

So, you are putting Mahle pistons in the KS Alusil cylinders? Cheesed out? Alusil cylinders, when prepped properly can be easily re ringed. Please explain what exactly your are doing in regards to pistons, rings and cylinders.

Cheers

The original cylinders are KS Alusils.

They were re-ringed and they scored. They last for some people, but in this case they did not.

I purchased an entire set of Mahle P/Cs which are brand new. These are Euro P/Cs with the same compression - 8:5:1.

Since the engine has sat (in a climate controlled space) for more than 25 years, with only 11K on the rebuild, I thought it would be smart to have the heads checked/cleaned/whatnot. I have to remove the heads anyway to replace the cylinders and pistons. I do not want to do this again anytime soon, and with the price of P/C sets which are through the roof, I would like to protect this investment.

The engine looks like a solid build, but then again, it's been 1/4 century, and like I said, the KS cylinders are done and for the price I paid for this brand-new set of Mahles, I could not have done my KS cylinders for the same price. The Mahle set on here are $5052 for the set of six now. I paid less, but still it is a serious amount.

"Cheesed out" is vernacular for someone or something that could not take it anymore and did not follow through, or in some cases in the UK or in Great Britain it could mean disappointed, or otherwise disgusted. It can also mean that they did not do a proper job and disguised or concealed a half-ass job by cheesing out and covering the engine with the other essentials, and by doing so skimped on what was important.

I hope this makes sense to you.

In the case of my very fine 2.7L engine, the people did not follow through with proper procedure, tried to cover up and/or otherwise conceal their inept re-ringing, and here we are today.

Two companies that can handle your needs are Ollies and Memphis Motorwerks machine shop.

i took my 3.2 heads down to len hoffman in Watkinsville, ga- heads is all he does- beautiful work- about an 8 week turn for me - hoffman automotive

Thanks guys I appreciate the help. I will contact them as soon as I finish taking the top end off. Hopefully I'll be in good shape with the bottom end.

Another positive plug for CGARR. He did a great job on my heads and was very reasonable too.

Another happy CGARR customer
 

What I look for in a "sub contractor", (I've been a general building contractor for 35 years).
He is honest, cost is what he forecasts.
Delivery on time.
Available for consultation/concerns.
Consistently high quality work.
Professional, cautious packaging.

I would have no reservations about having him work for me again.

'74, 2.8, 10.5 cr, EFI/ITB hot rod.
chris