Do these heads need to be milled?
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?
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.
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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)
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Verdad Gallardo 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?
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?
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?)
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.