So I have ECZ-G heads that are off of what I believe by the numbers to be a truck engine. I am about to send the heads in to have them checked and the hardened exhaust seats put. My question is, is there anything to ask to have done or not done to them while they are at the machine shop? This is my first engine build, and being a Y-block, I have a lot of questions. The shop I chose to have the work done at seems to know about the engine, so that is a plus. Im just not sure what to ask them to do to the heads or what not to have them do to them. The engine Im building is going into a 59 Fairlane Galaxie 500, Im not looking to make a "race car" or anything. Just a little more power than what it came with. I have the 9425-B intake manifold. I would like to put a cam in it and probably a different timing chain as I have heard that this will make a difference. Any help would be appreciated.

Mad-Evan, I can tell you from my head rebuild saga, do not hesitate to replace all valve springs, seals, retainers, and pushrods. In the beginning it sounds like a lot of (extra) $. But believe me, all the time spent to put it together and 40 mile down the road a valve spring breaks the head of the valve snaps off and plays a tune on the piston, - much better to spend a liitle extra now then alot later.

Also pick-up Eickmans Y-Block book. Even if you are not doing all the work yourself you can learn alot from it.

Casey Lake - Faribault, Minnesota

Thanks for the avise.

I have heard mixed things about the Eickman book. I was told it has a lot of good info in it, but there were a couple things that were not correct. Dont know if there is any truth to those claims or not.

Evan: Yes there are a couple of errors in the book and one or two controversial modification recommendations..However, except for original manuals it's the only book available. One error is the photo of the Timing Chain installation which has the engine upside down. It should be upright with the marks to the right. Unfortunately, it has been reported here that the latest reissue of the book has poor print quality. If you are going to do the reassembly, also get a manual. If in further doubt, ask here..

Paul

Whoa, is that the valve head stuck in the piston?


Lawrenceville, GA

Street Rodder magazine had what i consider to be a very good series of articles on rebuilding a YBlock, and had a couple of tricks?? regarding heads. The series ran in 1999. I recommend you try to find a copy. Started in February 1999 and ran through December, with no article in August..

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Yes that was a fresh set of "C" heads that obviously needed new valve springs. Only it wasn't obvious enough until I pulled the head and found that (picture).

Slammed pretty hard at freeway speed, if only for milli-seconds before I got it shut down. Fortunate to save the 312 block.

Casey Lake - Faribault, Minnesota

So, lets say you are rebuilding an engine. What would have the machine shop do to the heads? I know I need new exhaust valve seats. What else needs to get done?

Just the basics, first is clean and Magna-Flux. Next would be to check the guides and valves, we almost always install new valves and guides but we will work with you if you are poor.   Hard seats in the exhaust is next and then a three angle valve job. The three angle valve job is what all shops should do so to say it like that is almost redundant, but I have seen a few that touch the seat with a stone and call it good enough. Last is the resurface, then clean and reassemble. It is a good idea to check your spring height and if the engine has a hydrolic cam and non adjusting rockers you need to set the valve stem height.

I think that is about it, I'm sure if I missed something you guys will let me know. 

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias

Thanks Tim. I'm sure the place I take the heads will know what to do, I guess I just want to know before hand. Is the re-surface standard/necessary? I was talking to a guy that told me to be careful with doing that because if you take too much off the head, you also have to take some off the intake manifold. Again, being the first time I have rebuilt an engine I just have a lot of questions.