vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

Just received my Dart 205's this evening. I can see two issues right off the bat. First, my Crane guide plates that are on my stock heads won't fit without some machining of the heads. Second, I tried the stock rocker stand and that won't sit flat either. For the Crane guide plates, the bosses for the valve cover bolts are too large and will get in the way. I can grind them down but the valve spring tool (Crane/Vinci) won't fit either because it must go over the bosses to get out the springs. On the stock rocker stands, the little angles locks on the bottom of the stand would need to be machined flat for it to fit correctly.

Not sure if I should machine the bosses to get my guideplates to fit or simply return the heads.

Crap

Nate_Taufer

iTrader: (1)

Sucks man. I was fearing the worst from a new budget priced head. Dart is a pretty reputable company though and they should take care of you.

Nate

ceo44

Not mine, but since so many people are sitting on the fence whether or not to buy, perhaps this is worthwhile reading.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...773&forum_id=1

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

The heads will fit, it is just they left extra meat on the bosses where the valve covers screw in. Fine for strength, but not for fitting either my Crane guide plates or the valve spring tool. You can see in the photo below, I outlined what needs to be removed with black Sharpie and circled in red in the photo. To get my tool and guideplates to work, this would need grinding off. They designed them for the stock setup OK, it looks like an issue with other vendor hardware.

Flareside

I had to grind out my Crane spring compressor to fit AFR 205 heads, so you're not alone. It's really not a big deal, I wouldn't send the heads back just for that.

SStrokerAce

iTrader: (2)

The Pro Mag's and guideplates I just put on a set bolted right up.

Bret

pdd

iTrader: (3)

ME TOO

Slowhawk

iTrader: (12)

I was looking at the Dart heads at PRI and reliezed they need alot of work to be up to par with AFR,ET ect. brand heads.

Just toss on the stock rockers and get rid of the 1.8's...

You knew I was going to say that

BTW-I talked to Vinci for about 1/2 hour at PRI

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

Well, guess its interesting that the AFR's also required some mods to the Crane valve spring tool too!! Most of the existing aftermarket products were designed around the stock heads, so as more of these heads come out there will be some shakedown of what's required to make them work.

I don't think it is a big deal to grind out the part to get everything to fit, I was just hoping for more of a bolt on. Have to think about this a bit

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

The heads overall look good though, don't take this as a total trashing of the Darts. They just may have a few kinks to work out so some of the aftermarket products will work.

SouthFL.02.SS

Can't wait to see how they perform. Keep us posted and good luck!

Hugger

iTrader: (21)

Would you mind giving us an overalll review of the heads? I have a set of the 225's on order and am still debating on whether or not to get them.

SStrokerAce

iTrader: (2)

Hugger, send me a e-mail or PM and I can tell ya what you want to know. I have found nothing bad about them.

Bret

rjw

iTrader: (3)

OK, I checked my Dart 225's.

It took about 1 minute to mod an OEM rocker stand to fit. A small bandsaw cut and file flat in 3 places.

I've got about 3 hours in these heads so far. I polished the chambers, did a little grinding around the guides and cleaned up all the casting flash (which wasn't all that bad to start with). I have about another hour to finish both heads.

They look really nice.

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

rjw,

Any photo's or more details? I have been looking at them for several hours now. The heads appear to be good units, but like you, I will need to disassemble and clean them up a bit. Since I have nothing better to do for the next three months (winter doldrums ) it might make a nice winter project. I just have to figure out how the get the springs off to fix them so my spring tool will fit

Hugger

iTrader: (21)

Vettenuts, go get a sears valve spring compressor (the big kind that looks like a giant clamp) and it will be much easier off the car.

rjw

iTrader: (3)

I repied on the vette forum, and will try to get some pics up later.

Fireball

iTrader: (21)

those ones are junk. I broke mine trying to install crane drop in replacement duals. you need to get one of the good ones.

rjw

iTrader: (3)

Here's a picture of MY Dart225 chamber after 10 minutes of sanding. The intake port is looking pretty good as well JMHO

rjw

iTrader: (3)

I spoke to Dart about the issues so far. They stated that they didn't think that anyone was going to run the stock rockers... They didn't have an answer to why the crane's don't fit either.

Their R & D 80 sets went to various builders, none of which informed them of this or of the combustion chamber being to large for a small bore engine. :*****:

Still a nice head tho...