Bill,

         That was not an attack on anybody, especially you. I am simply trying to explain that the step you see won't create a problem sealing. No-one is questioning your right to complain, but I am trying to take some heat out of the discussion. I would imagine, and I've not talked to John, that the sanding was done to make the photo look better. But again, it really won't hurt the seal........honest.

        I mentioned my work history so you'd understand that I've see this before, and have seen the results. I understand you don't care about that, but i wanted it clear that I have a little experience there. I'll admit, it looks bad. But it isn't.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Thanks frank and all the other guys for their delicate input into my reaction on the machining finish of these heads, 1st of all i regard johns efforts highly and as a friend, as with everyone else here!!!! I felt my reply from john was less than satisfying and gingerly sought ideas and comparisons from the guys running these heads, i think i have the right to do this no matter how others may percieve it, the reactions  were favourable and at last john added that his advertised pictured heads had the marks lightly sanded flat, why was that? obviously it is far more how normally machined heads or decked blocks should look, had mine been finished this way, i,m sure i wouldnt have any questions, fair enough!

I dont feel i have caused john to spend more money to sort this out, if anyone wanting heads and like the heads this way tell him and he wont have to do it!!!!

Also " not wanting to get offside with john" as quoted was also a major consideration and human nature as it is may be so? but i,m sure john can see both sides of this. 

I posted this but after rereading it, i thought stuff it!  Frank, or anybody else! just say i used these heads as they were and for whatever reason the gasket blew between the cyls, i would immediatly conclude the groove contributed to it as normal heads are flat looking and after the massive expense , its nearly twice the US price! the new head may? burn a groove through it and its gone , with no comeback. thats WHY i asked about this! and i dont care how many things you or anybody else has made, the,re my heads!! And why i have to justify myself to anybody is beyond me!!

I again reiterate! This was and is not a personal attack on john but as i explained above. thank you.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

I agree with what Charlie suggests but would like to add that if SOMEBODY had responded to this post before a month had pasted maybe most of this speculation by the non-machinists in this group (me included) would not have happened... Just my 1¢.

"The Master Cylinder"

Enjoying life at the beach in SOCAL

The best case here, then is to not re-tool, but to include a note with the heads stating in essence that they are fine. With products such as this, many of the customers will not be educated about the machining process, and what is and is not acceptable. With what I knew before this thread, I would have had the same reaction as Bill. Now that I know better, it is fine. Just make a note stating that they are fine as is, in order to avoid future confusion.


Lawrenceville, GA

I've resisted commenting on this because John's a friend of mine, and I don't want to add fuel to a fire between Bill and John.

   I made and sold aluminum cylinder heads, blocks and manifolds for 35 + years. For what it's worth, we produced parts for Ford, GM, and Chrysler, along with overseas auto companies including Weslake and Cosworth. We made parts for Jr. Johnson and Holley Carb.  

   There is no problem with the way Johns heads were done. A small step in the range that we are talking about is a non-issue. It will seal.

  What we've done here is forced John to purchase or source a very expensive mill and cutters to correct a problem that's only a visual issue. Many aluminum parts are used that will have cutter marks deeper than what the conversation is about. They will seal too. We've waited for ten or twelve years for this product, PLEASE don't kill the project with personal opinions that are not a performance or functional issue.   

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

I didn't get to finish what I wanted to say because my computer was acting up but to carry on what i was saying is the fact that John is doing an outstanding job on these heads. When a set goes on your engine you WILL fill it in the seat of your pants so grab your rearend or butt whatever you want to call it and hang on!!!!!!!!!

-Gary Burnette-

Actually it only took .002 cut and they were as good as new. The milling marks are so mi nute there were no problems showing up at all with the heads or gaskets when removed from the engine. The only reason we cleaned them up was they were off the engine and it was an easy fix at that point and here again you fill alittle better when things are as near perfect as you can get them in an imperfect world.

-Gary Burnette-

Since I guess this is a big deal it will be addressed. The heads shown on our website were machined in the exact same way but sanded with 220 grit psa discs stuck to a flat plate.

The step measures .0015" and was common on many aftermarket aluminum heads for years.

As Gary pointed out his heads worked fine and a .003" cut cleared up all marks meaning the step was significantly less than that.

All that having been said, since we have had complaints about the machining all future heads will be cut with an 18" face mill in a single cut. This will lead to delays and additional expense (read higher price) but I guess that is required.

The face mill for our surfacing machine has been sent out for sharpening and we need to build a fixture to hold the heads so they can be surfaced in a production manor.

http://ford-y-block.com 

20 miles east of San Diego, 20 miles north of Mexico

Same marks that Bills had. They ran fine the way they were but when I tore the engine down for a complete redo my engine builder suddested they be milled enough to clean up the marks especially the one between the cylinder. Cheap insurance that I agree with.

-Gary Burnette-

Were both of your heads machined like that? Not that it makes a whole lot of difference, they both have to be machined anyway. I was just curious.



Surprised John hasn't responded...

"The Master Cylinder"

Enjoying life at the beach in SOCAL