Head Rebuilds

daleflesburg · 01-06-2010, 06:09 PM

We are going to take apart a 1987 3.2 L engine in order to replace the rings. First, a pressurized case, and then a leak-down test indicate that we have some broken rings.
While we have it apart it is possible that we will need valve guides and valve grinding or valve replacement work done.

Have any of you had head work done?

Who did you use?

Do you recommend them?

Steve@Rennsport · 01-06-2010, 08:24 PM

Hi,

FWIW,...we perform such services all here in-house and I can help you with that, if you wish.

4sd911 · 01-06-2010, 09:53 PM

Depending on the mileage on your heads, most 911 heads will need the guides replaced and a 3 way grind on the valves and seats. Best to have a shop that knows how to work on these. It's not a job for the average machine shop, I've been there and the heads were back off in short time.

Mahler9th · 01-07-2010, 01:19 AM

Lots of places can do this. Especially if it is for a stockish street car.

If you want more local, you might be able to network through some nearby PCA regions. Chicago area in a pinch. Perhaps some of those regions have forums of their own.

If I lived in the PNW, I might be a customer of Rennsport Systems.

Here in Norcal, I use Ted Robinson at German Precision. He has been at it for a long time, including some experience working for a world championship-winning Porsche racing team: About_us. He just did some basic work for me this summer.

My engine builder in Reno (who is one of the leading builders in the PRC) sends much of his stuff to Ted as well. I think he has myriad local resources, but prefers to work with Ted for many/most projects. I also like Mike Stimson of course, but only for racing/exotic/rocket science work. He has shown me some awfully cool stuff through the years, and did some excellent work on a racing engine project for me a few years ago.

175K911 · 01-07-2010, 03:08 AM

I'm sending my heads to Steve Weiner for his great work. But if you wanted to stay more local, my second choice was to give them to Wally Werner at Werner Machine in Mokena, IL. Lots of local folks have him do 911 work.

Carrerax · 01-07-2010, 09:50 AM

My heads were also sent off to Steve Weiner (Steve@Rennsport) on Monday. All we are talking about is shipping heads. It isnt that much $ for shipping. Well worth it knowing that you have one of the best in the biz doing it.

Walt Fricke · 01-07-2010, 10:55 AM

Carreraaz - who did you ship with? How much for a set of heads? How did you box/package them? All those studs and stuff sticking out. I'm sure it isn't tough to do, and small potatos compared with the cost of the machine work. I got spoiled when I had a local machinist and could just drive the stuff there, but he's out of business.

Walt Fricke

Carrerax · 01-07-2010, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walt Fricke

Carreraaz - who did you ship with? How much for a set of heads? How did you box/package them? All those studs and stuff sticking out. I'm sure it isn't tough to do, and small potatos compared with the cost of the machine work. I got spoiled when I had a local machinist and could just drive the stuff there, but he's out of business.

Walt Fricke

Walt, I pulled the rockers and cams out and left the heads bolted to the cam towers. I wrapped each bank with some thin sheet foam and put them in a box (23"x18"x14", I know because I have the receipt from UPS store right here). It all weighed 64.62 lbs. It cost $78 to ship from Ohio to Portland. Could have possibly shipped cheaper w/ another carrier. I could have also hept the cam towers here but I wanted Steve to flush out the sprayer bar etc. Either way, well worth it knowing that they will come back correct the first time. Not to mention all of the awesome free advice from Steve!

Aurel · Aurel's Garage

I highly recommend John @ Atlantic Anchor for head work. They did mine, and you will find lots of praise for John on PP site. They are in New Jersey.

Anchor Atlantic Group LLC :: Ultrasonic Aqueous Cleaners

dgmark · dgmark's Garage

An excellent local suggestion would be Werner Performance Cyl Heads in Mokena IL. wernermachineltd.com Wally's work is first class.

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

All good recomendations above. Also wanted to add G2 (cgarr and dgarr on this board). They've done several sets for me, all very professional. (In fact my next set's going there today)

daleflesburg · 01-09-2010, 05:38 AM

Chris Streit:
I have looked and all I can find is that G2 is Craig and Denny Garrett. Do you have an address, phone number or web address for them?

Carrerax · 09:35 AM

Here you go:
[address removed- contact cgarr by PM for more information]

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurel

I highly recommend John @ Atlantic Anchor for head work. They did mine, and you will find lots of praise for John on PP site. They are in New Jersey.

Anchor Atlantic Group LLC :: Ultrasonic Aqueous Cleaners

I think you mean Bob at AA. (I may be senile though.)
-Chris

175K911 · 01-17-2010, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carrerax

Walt, I pulled the rockers and cams out and left the heads bolted to the cam towers. I wrapped each bank with some thin sheet foam and put them in a box (23"x18"x14", I know because I have the receipt from UPS store right here). It all weighed 64.62 lbs. It cost $78 to ship from Ohio to Portland. Could have possibly shipped cheaper w/ another carrier. I could have also hept the cam towers here but I wanted Steve to flush out the sprayer bar etc. Either way, well worth it knowing that they will come back correct the first time. Not to mention all of the awesome free advice from Steve!

Mine are going out to Steve tomorrow. At his suggestion, I cut two pieces of plywood (12x18x1/2) and bolted three heads to each piece with basic nuts and bolts from Ace Hwre. Dropped the 3-head/plywood assembly into boxes sized for plywood dimension, and stacked for all 6 heads in one box- 20x14x12. My barrels, rockers and rods will go in another box, wrapped in lots of bubble wrap to protect the fins. But good suggestion to send the cam towers out to him for cleaning.

Carrerax · 01-17-2010, 10:42 AM

Ed, I sent the towers because I was lazy

My rods, distributor and rockers are getting shipped to him tomorrow. Cant wait to get this thing back together!

bahnzai · 10:47 AM

+1 for Craig Garrett.
Twin plugged and rebuilt my heads. Reasonable price and good turn around.

175K911 · 01-17-2010, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carrerax

Ed, I sent the towers because I was lazy

My rods, distributor and rockers are getting shipped to him tomorrow. Cant wait to get this thing back together!

Thanks for the riminder to send the distributor. Normally I'd change the belt in my 3.6 distributor but just had rotator cuff surgery this past week so unfortunatley doing anything that requires 2 hands is out of the question for a while. I barely got the engine apart so I could send the parts out to Steve. Guess I need to send the dizzy too. Can't tell if you keep saving my tail or costing me more $$.

Steve@Rennsport · 01-17-2010, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 175K911

Thanks for the riminder to send the distributor. Normally I'd change the belt in my 3.6 distributor but just had rotator cuff surgery this past week so unfortunatley doing anything that requires 2 hands is out of the question for a while. I barely got the engine apart so I could send the parts out to Steve. Guess I need to send the dizzy too. Can't tell if you keep saving my tail or costing me more $$.

Hey Mark & Ed,

Thanks for reminding ME about that.

Those 3.6 distributors should get a new belt every 60K, based on personal experience with these. Further, the bearings (there are four of them) should be checked and repacked, if needed.

Don't overdo that shoulder, pal. You don't want to go through that all over again due to uncontained ambition,......