I just bought my 1.70" 1.44" valves and guides kit from engnblder on eBay. Ted was really cool, and we swapped a few emails after I made my purchase. It was exciting to take my first step of many to create a performance cylinder head. Next, I've got my eye on some Mopar Performance springs and retainers. We'll see what happens there. I'm trying to slowly gather parts for a new cylinder head so when the time comes to have it built, I'll be ready.

It's apparently going to be easier than I thought to get a core cylinder head, so that was exciting news as well. The trick now is going to be finding a machine shop that will do a good port and plane for a street six. They're apparently hard to find in north central Florida. I've heard several of the members here are experts at the craft, but the distance may be an issue. I'm sure I'll be able to work something out though. Anyone have any advice?

Ah well. I've got another thing to scratched off my shopping list and thought I'd share.

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Chuck and the Flying Valiant

Nice work. Doesn't Ted sell springs and retainers too? If not, Erson sells packages with springs and retainers, I believe, with their cam kits (see group buy thread).

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

He does, but he said something about them getting harder to come by not made in China, and he won't stock those, so the prices are going up. I've got my eye on some Mopar Performance springs that will work. If I can get them for a good price, I'll go with them, if not, I'll see what Erson has to offer.

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Chuck and the Flying Valiant

340 springs will be easier......
I would suggest doing your own porting with a gasket and a die grinder if you have access.

Is it really that easy to do your own porting? I don't have access to a die grinder, but even if I did it still sounds like a tricky thing to do.

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Chuck and the Flying Valiant

It is not really that hard. No harder than those model kits you have creatively built.

If you want to do a stellar job, it is hard, but not for a good upgrade job.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Yeah, but when I mess up a model kit, I'm only out ten bucks. Unless this can be done with a Dremel over the kitchen sink, I'm going to have to go with a professional. Apartments are kind of limiting that way.

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Chuck and the Flying Valiant

You will make a HUGE mess in your kitchen - better to get Charlie or someone else to do it.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Charlie's learning himself, so he understandably doesn't want to risk wrecking mine.

I'm sure I'll find someone else to help me out. I don't think it's worth testing my wife's patience by destroying the kitchen.

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Chuck and the Flying Valiant

You can use a dremel.


But probably need the bathtub instead of the sink......



(make sure you use a GFCI outlet)

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

If not, the results could be...shocking! *rimshot*

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Chuck and the Flying Valiant

I'm sure you've got a million of 'em...

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Thank you, I'll be here all week.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

I don't know "watt" you're talking about. Now, back to the "current" topic...

The more I think about it, the more I might be able to make this work. I found a few good DIY articles, and there's a guy that has a port and polish DVD for sale on ebay for a reasonable price. It's him working on a SBC head, but I would imagine that the principles are all the same. Usually I'm pretty good at something if I can actually SEE what's being done by someone else. I'm not so good with just reading instructions. Just watching this excerpt on YouTube of the DVD was enough to boost my confidence.

What do you think? Can a SBC teach a /6-er new tricks?

The temptation is difficult to "resist...or".

*ducks rotten tomatoes*

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Chuck and the Flying Valiant

Somehow that last reply posted twice. Never mind this one.

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Chuck and the Flying Valiant