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Do these heads need to be milled?

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Old 10-27-2007, 04:34 PM
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Default Do these heads need to be milled?

Well if everything goes as planned, I will hopefully be doing my cam/heads swap next weekend. I was looking at my heads (ported 241's) and I noticed around the edge of a couple of the combustion chambers there are a couple little nicks. These pictures are of the same spot which is the worst of it. Keep in mind these look way bigger than they are, that's why I tried to use the end of the pen for scale. Do you think I need to have these milled some, or will they be okay?





Old 10-27-2007, 04:53 PM
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Why not just get them cleaned up a hair anyways, like .010, have the heads off now anyways so why not true up the surface.
Old 10-27-2007, 05:24 PM
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Well, I'm trying to stay on a budget. I mean I will mill these if I NEED to, but if I don't need to then I won't because I've already spent too much on my heads/cam swap parts. I have a budget, but I like doing things the right way and replacing all neccessary parts- thats kind of why I'm low on money at this point. Especially being a full time student.
Old 10-27-2007, 05:25 PM
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Well it's on the very edge of the chamber so I wouldn't think you'd have to
Old 10-27-2007, 05:26 PM
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You didn't polish the chambers?
Old 10-27-2007, 06:23 PM
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No, they aren't polished. I'm not the one that ported them though...
Old 10-27-2007, 09:31 PM
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if it were me I would have the surface trued up...just me though.
Old 10-27-2007, 11:09 PM
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I think it's worth the $150 or so just to make sure their true and flat, but if that is the only problem you have, make sure none of the nicks mushroom toward the deck of the block and you'll be fine. (just use a gunsmith's file....they are really tiny and be careful--stay close to the nicks)
Old 10-28-2007, 06:47 PM
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Well here is what I'm going to do... I am going to clean up any edges or points so I avoid hot spots. And I am going to get the heads milled somewhere between .010"-.015". Now, I know those little nicks probably won't completely disasspear after I mill the heads, but they will be better. But here is my main question:

I am worried that these might cause a problem as far as blowing a head gasket. Does anybody forsee that as being a problem, or am I worrying about this too much?
Old 10-28-2007, 07:15 PM
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If you do what you plan....I don't see any problems with blowing a gasket. I'd match up the gasket to see if the sealing ring is outside of the nicks to be sure, but I'd say you'll be ok.
Old 10-28-2007, 07:35 PM
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Originally Posted by ISeeRed
If you do what you plan....I don't see any problems with blowing a gasket. I'd match up the gasket to see if the sealing ring is outside of the nicks to be sure, but I'd say you'll be ok.
Okay, that makes me feel better. I don't have my head gaskets here with me to look at, but I am going to be using the GM MLS head gaskets. Is the "sealing ring" outside the bore opening on the gasket or is it right on the edge of the bore opening on the gasket? (Does that make sense?)
Old 10-28-2007, 08:40 PM
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Lay your head gasket on the head when you get them,and see if the sealing ring on the head gasket is over lapping the dings if it is shave it if not run it.
Old 10-28-2007, 09:19 PM
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And if I get them milled and there is still a tiny ding, and then the gasket overlaps that- im fucked? lol
Old 10-29-2007, 07:04 PM
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Well I took my heads to get milled and without looking at them for more than 3 seconds the guy said the nicks wouldn't cause a problem because they are inside the firing ring- good news! But regardless, they are still getting milled .015". I can't wait to get this pig torn apart and put back together.




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