Elusive knocking noise

[sand_man]

Originally Posted by Alan L

Sometimes life sucks. But I still find them more consistent than women.
Regards
Alan

No truer words have been spoken...

[WERK I]

Don,
Were there any other cylinders that had bad valves/guides or was #3 the only one?

[DonE]

4 of 6 heads had trashed guides, both intake and exhaust. The valve stems were trashed as well but they sealed just fine on their seats - compression and leakdown tests were all good. The only explanation given was bad guide material.

[ghnat]

Don,
Any updates?

[DonE]

Picking up the heads in FL while on vacation next week. I should have it back together around new years day. Let's see if I can top more than 5000 miles before I take it out again.

[ghnat]

What part of FL? I'll be in Tampa and Hernando next week...
I'll need some head work as well. Maybe you can give me a contact???
Has the studying finished?

[DonE]

Bill at Xtreme Cylinder Heads in Palm City FL. One more test in early Jan (CRPC) and I hope I'm done. Waiting on results from CFP exam (takes 6 weeks).

[x98boardwell]

Don,

My buddy just went for the week long course in November to Dallas for the study session for that test which he has also now taken. He is waiting the results. CFP, here you come. Best of luck.

Bryan

[AFM744]

Originally Posted by DonE

4 of 6 heads had trashed guides, both intake and exhaust. The valve stems were trashed as well but they sealed just fine on their seats - compression and leakdown tests were all good. The only explanation given was bad guide material.

Don, do you know which guides your previous machinist installed? Also, which stem seals did you use? Obviously these guides should be blacklisted.
I thought my exhaust guides were bad, with about 1mm clearance at 89k mi. Then at German Precision I saw some reeeeally worn guides, like you could put an extra valve or two in there!

[DonE]

I picked up my heads from Xtreme Cylinder Heads in Palm City FL this afternoon. Below are some pics of one of the heads, and a pic of the trashed valves (intake and exhaust).

The valves are custom stainless steel intake and inconel exhaust valves, both turned from blanks. The guides are manganese/bronze. The inconel valves cost $25 for the blanks and $25 to custom machine each. Stock exhaust valves are $48 each. The custom stainless intake valves cost $42 each (blanks plus machining) compared to $50 for stock.



The springs had to be replaced because of the new custom valves and their retainer positions. They are Elgin springs with titanium retainers. You'll see the top of the stems are a bit higher off the retainers than stock.



Here are the old intake and exhaust valves cleaned up, but clearly show severe wear. The intake valve has a ridge cut in it at the top of travel. The stems feel as if they where sanded with 50 grit sandpaper.



The engine should be back together around Jan 1.

[DonE]

Here's the engine on the stand. You can see that I've packed the turbo shield with new insulation. After I took this pic, I joined the tranny and motor, so tomorrow it goes in the car.

[AFM744]

Originally Posted by done

...so tomorrow it goes in the car.

woot!!!

[ghnat]

Alright, can't wait to see the beast again...

[purplehaze]

Nice work, Don!

Looking forward to seeing it back in your car.

When I think I've had a bad day, I just think of the ***** you've been through, and it puts it all in perspective.