Cylinder Head Update - good and bad

[julian]

Local machine shop specialising in heads sorted the manifold studs.
It was such a tough job apparently that he had to insert helicoils at £40 each. Fair enough and he's done a good job.

Now the problem. I went to fit the head today and despite taping all the holes up I've spotted a a bit of stray swarf so I'm going to have to strip the head and flush it (suggestions for choice of fluid please?). A pain but not a problem. The thing that p*sses me off is that where the head has been clamped for the stud extraction, old matey hasn't used a soft block of wood on the mating surface where the cylinder head meets the barrel. There are now two scores 3mm long 0.5 mm deep, diametrically opposite on the internal circumference of the head. Fortunately they stop where the gasket starts so I don't think there will be a problem.

I'm going to call him and let him know just in case the old girl doesnt hold compression when assembled. If it happened to you, would you consider this to be an oversight or just basic lazy incompetence. He's a really nice guy and heads are his business but ffs what t*sser. I'll post piccie later.

[Jason M]

Local machine shop specialising in heads sorted the manifold studs.
It was such a tough job apparently that he had to insert helicoils at £40 each. Fair enough and he's done a good job.

Now the problem. I went to fit the head today and despite taping all the holes up I've spotted a a bit of stray swarf so I'm going to have to strip the head and flush it (suggestions for choice of fluid please?). A pain but not a problem. The thing that p*sses me off is that where the head has been clamped for the stud extraction, old matey hasn't used a soft block of wood on the mating surface where the cylinder head meets the barrel. There are now two scores 3mm long 0.5 mm deep, diametrically opposite on the internal circumference of the head. Fortunately they stop where the gasket starts so I don't think there will be a problem.

I'm going to call him and let him know just in case the old girl doesnt hold compression when assembled. If it happened to you, would you consider this to be an oversight or just basic lazy incompetence. He's a really nice guy and heads are his business but ffs what t*sser. I'll post piccie later.

Julian

Hope it all holds together OK - if not, you're welcome to one of your old heads - gratis. Whats goes around and all that..

Jason

[Archie]

Local machine shop specialising in heads sorted the manifold studs.
It was such a tough job apparently that he had to insert helicoils at £40 each. Fair enough and he's done a good job.

Now the problem. I went to fit the head today and despite taping all the holes up I've spotted a a bit of stray swarf so I'm going to have to strip the head and flush it (suggestions for choice of fluid please?). A pain but not a problem. The thing that p*sses me off is that where the head has been clamped for the stud extraction, old matey hasn't used a soft block of wood on the mating surface where the cylinder head meets the barrel. There are now two scores 3mm long 0.5 mm deep, diametrically opposite on the internal circumference of the head. Fortunately they stop where the gasket starts so I don't think there will be a problem.

I'm going to call him and let him know just in case the old girl doesnt hold compression when assembled. If it happened to you, would you consider this to be an oversight or just basic lazy incompetence. He's a really nice guy and heads are his business but ffs what t*sser. I'll post piccie later.

Julian

Sorry it's not turned out great. If it's just some swarf from drilling the stud, I'd use compressed air. If you think there's smaller dirt/dust/grit in there then I'd use a standard degreaser (like gunk etc), wash it with a garden hose spray, then dry with a cloth, and stick it in the (pre-heated) oven to dry off completely.

Your missus might want to divorce you, but the bike won't.

Cheers

Alan

[Boxadog 2000]

If the guy specialises in head work I think I might take it back and get him to skim the head just in case.

You dont want to put it all back together and then find that it blows a gasket.

[julian]

Thanks Chaps

I'm away next week so will pre book an appointment with him on Friday.

Jason - thanks for your offer, I think the head is is fine, it's just the fact that the scratches are there that p*ss me off.

[Jason M]

If the guy specialises in head work I think I might take it back and get him to skim the head just in case.

You dont want to put it all back together and then find that it blows a gasket.

Bob - do you reckon it would be a good idea to skim one head? Couldn't the raised compression on that side cause bad vibes?

Maybe you can get a slightly thicker gasget to compensate

Jason

[Boxadog 2000]

Sorry I just assumed that the other head would be removed and skimmed to the same tollerance

[julian]

I took head back today and the chap was very professional, appolegetic etc. and will skim the head a couple of thou' and hot wash the head (whatever that is) to remove any swarf.

I really don't want to remove the other head right now unless it's really unadvisable not to. If it runs like a dog and won't balance then I'll get the other one one skimmed too.