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PTV how about PTSpark plug!?!?

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Old Apr 3, 2012 | 07:50 PM
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Default PTV how about PTSpark plug!?!?

I finally got around to checking my piston to valve clearance. It was spectacular and never got close to spec(.08 I believe is minimum). Problem I have is that the piston is just barely hitting the hump for he spark plug. Luckily I noticed it as I was starting to clean the heads one final time before installing them. I saw this nick in all 4 cylinders .


I went ahead and confirmed with clay that they were new and fresh marks. Sure enough they are. There is a large knot for the spark plug threads and I think I should be OK to grind some away but wanted to see what others had for ideas. Biggest thing is will be I OK to use these heads.

Here is where it is contacting on the piston.




I didn't have a head gasket so that is another .051 of clearance but if I am lucky that currently gets the piston to not touch the head I still need some clearance for safety!

Here is the head with clay on it.
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Old Apr 3, 2012 | 09:25 PM
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No help?

If matters these are 317 heads and it is a 408 built from a LQ9 block. The pistons are Dimond nitrous pistons.
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Old Apr 3, 2012 | 10:21 PM
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File it off or dremel the spot on the head.
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Old Apr 4, 2012 | 02:21 AM
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I think I would rather have material taken off the piston. I don't think I would want that spark plug boss any thinner as it may crack easier upon removal of the plugs.
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Old Apr 4, 2012 | 06:29 AM
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Off of the piston? Seems much safer and I would feel better taking a few thousands off the head. A replacement pair of 317s only cost around $250 and are easily changed if something does happen, vs. cutting into the pistons. What do others think?

I think the gasket should get me so they don't touch so that means I would need to take .03-.05 off the spark plug boss. Seems insignifigant enough but maybe I am wrong.
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Old Apr 4, 2012 | 06:32 AM
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Grind away the dome on the piston.
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Old Apr 4, 2012 | 06:37 AM
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I was really hoping to not hear that any more. I surely don't want to cut the piston but if that seems to be the best idea then that just might have to happen.
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Old Apr 4, 2012 | 06:46 AM
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Put the gasket on, snug it down, and re-check it........
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Old Apr 4, 2012 | 06:46 AM
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Originally Posted by custm2500
I was really hoping to not hear that any more. I surely don't want to cut the piston but if that seems to be the best idea then that just might have to happen.
It's really not that big of a deal, all you would have to do is lay over that sharp edge into an angle or a gradual radius. You won't even take off enough to throw off the balance of the crank or anything like that.
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Old Apr 4, 2012 | 09:28 AM
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I'd vote towards taking some off the piston as well..
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Old Apr 4, 2012 | 09:37 AM
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Ok. I'll throw a vote in to take some off the head people rework chambers every day....
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Old Apr 4, 2012 | 11:19 AM
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Just throwing it out there..but what about adding a 2nd spark plug washer? Fully compressed it has to be about as thick as the head gasket.
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Old Apr 4, 2012 | 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by MX6.0
Just throwing it out there..but what about adding a 2nd spark plug washer? Fully compressed it has to be about as thick as the head gasket.
these are tapered seat plugs, no washers.
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Old Apr 4, 2012 | 11:49 AM
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It isn't hitting the plug. It is hitting the head only.
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Old Apr 5, 2012 | 06:37 AM
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I am getting almost a 50/50 of head vs. piston recomendations. I think I am going to take a touch off the head and see what happens. If a few hits of the file get me enough room great! If a few hits still isn't enough I might take a touch off the piston.

These heads will be on the engine no more then a year. I have another set of 317s that are going to get ported and polished of possibly look into a better set of heads. Not sure but regarless these heads are temperary. The only down side of not taking it off the piston I will need to do the same to my other set of 317s. I will address the issue then and possibly look deeper into cutting the pistons.

Thanks for the ideas and help.
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Old Apr 5, 2012 | 08:08 AM
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Originally Posted by mark21742
Ok. I'll throw a vote in to take some off the head people rework chambers every day....
This was my thinking as well. As a matter of fact my CNC heads have this area smoothed over real well. Wont hurt the head a bit or they wouldn't be doing it.
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