Here’s rocker you can see how they were potentially getting side loaded and pushed into the body cutting a groove

 

My gut tells me those intake and exhaust valves were not of equal height when those heads got assembled. How do you know the engine builder didn't swap the valves in your heads because he needed them for another build? It has happened because I'm living proof of this. Had an engine builder I trusted with some TSP PRC 265cc LS7 heads I had outfitted with Manley Ti intake valves and later found out he swapped them for some LS3 hollow stems and the tops of my valves looked similar to what you got going on there. I was blind to the fact at that time..Lessons learned!

 

My intake valves sat higher than the exhaust valves in my case.

Look carefully!

This was the reason and just take a look at the edge of that intake valve. They all looked like this and I was pretty upset to learn that I'd been ripped off! The guy denied all wrong doing and blamed Texas Speed for installing LS3 valves in the heads.

Passing the blame is part of the game but I find it hard to believe that Trick Flow sent the heads out like that. I take it these are HS non-adjustable rocker arms and if the valves were set up that way you would have offset length pushrods for this engine.

 

Let’s say they were ten thou off from the jump would that only effect lifter preload ? Trickflow not once said they were different valves after I sent that in. All they said was I burnt the heads up and they needed a full rebuild. Is there a way to check if the dude did switch them? Guy that built it does a lot of older motors not a ton of LS stuff. How common would these valves be in another setup let’s say a small blocks set of heads?

 

That’s still crazy your builder would do that. I mean who knows nowadays with people. I just looked beyond the valves where there’s areas never deburred etc pissed they got slid across a bench enough to set some deep grooves. I mean at this point I have 2800$ chunks of useless metal lol

 

What TrickFlow casting are these? What would you sell them for, shipped?

 

Gen x 225 heads I’m not sure honestly. Sucks would have been nice to keep on a motor. I’ve heard they flow great and everything I’m going to measure the valve heights again to see if they were swapped. To me it’s like new valves and seats don’t cost $1400 lol rather grab a set of prc 237 at that point

 

I wouldn't say those heads are junk man. Just need to get them apart and start inspecting everything.

I was going to pay him to build my engine but decided to take on the endeavor myself and I'm so glad I did because there's no telling what I would've gotten back from him. I purchased a balanced rotating assembly from Texas Speed consisting of a Callies dragonslayer crankshaft, Compstar rods, HD wrist pins and Wiseco pistons with Clevite H-Series bearings, I purchased their TSP PRC LS7 heads with .660 lift springs and Manley titanium intake valves and Manley stainless exhaust valves. The LSX block was purchased by Summit Racing and I had it machined by Late Model Engines in Houston. The cylinders were bored and honed to 4.125 bore using ARP head studs and the mains align honed for ARP main studs. It was after building it that I ran into issues with the No. 7 & 8 cylinders burning oil and thought it was PCV related but it turned out to be poor installation of the rings mostly the oil control rings on those cylinders and that's when he came into the picture. He stated that TSP did not do a quality job of removing burrs from the guides and yes there was some that I noticed on his bore scope and bought into his BS. I went ahead and re-did all the rings again per his reccomendation and paid him for his cylinder head work. Once I got it all back together and into the car I was finally able to drive it to the tuner in Victoria, TX and it was there where I started hearing a pronounced ticking. I was talking to a guy I think his name was Kurt about it and he said you better check into it. I drove it around for a little while longer but the ticking sounded like it was getting worse and after pulling a valve cover and doing the spring wiggle test I found that every intake valve had significant up and down movement when pushing on the valve springs with my two thumbs. Since then I've got serious trust issues when it comes to my cars and parts.

My advice would be to only deal with those professionals who have a good reputation in the business.

 

I figured if the valves were different Trickflow would have mentioned it when they were taken apart. They just said I burnt them up seat issues k believe and needed new valves. When he said 1400$ I said send them back. I am curious if the builder would do that I didn’t see many ls getting put together at the time but older motors. But you never know man. One opinion I got from a shop im in New England guys like I wouldn’t put any money into them. I didn’t know but he makes his own heads right down the street for similar pricing. Hindsight’s 20/20 wish I went to him. So my current motor that’s in the truck now I did myself forged bottom 243 heads new exhaust valves I just lapped em in had them vacuum checked Che trunion with stock rockers. But my other short locks just sitting there eagle rods summit pro ls pistons arp mains etc. so kind of sucks but gotta pay to play i guess lol.

 

One other thing to keep in mind is that bronze valve guides do not like any kind of side loading or they wear out pretty fast. If you had side loading the guides may be shot as well.

 

Trickflow heads have a serial number and the head casting cut into the head. I’m also interested in them, if you're thinking about selling them.

 

Double post please delete

 

Golen Engines?

 

Go to the lower left corner of post in question and hit EDIT and go from there.

 

Ya Golens near me very nice guy anytime I’ve been in there. In regards to selling them, Not sure what these heads would even be worth probably little less than bare castings? There the ls2 225 cnc ported fully assembled heads. Some valves were good some burnt up. Just wish it could have been made right. Have a pair of brand new Harlands too since the guy fixed me up with a new set.

 

Golen built my 402ci engine. Chad is a stand up guy and knows his stuff. Won't sell you on something you don't need. Can't go wrong with them. Sadly this is a **** situation for you regardless.

 

Is what it is at this point. I wouldn’t even of sent them in and wasted the time if it was something I did or abused them you know what I mean? But yeah could either fix them new seats fix bad valves or chalk it up to a loss. See what Someone would offer for them.

 

Had a set of TFS 215cc heads on my 2001 SS, similar things happened. Cost me a lot of money, was stuck fixing them because I had already taken a deposit on the car.

My Z28 had AFR mongoose 205s and never let me down. They're kind of my go to for aftermarket heads. I took a chance on the TFS because the engine builder strongly recommended them.

That experience left me never wanting anything to do with TFS heads ever again.

 

Doesn't Summit own Trick Flow?

 

Summit bought TrickFlow from Rick Smith in ‘93. Rick works for BTR today. He’s a brilliant head designer.