Engine Assembler vs. Engine Builders

[Gaz64]

A case of non hardened valves, heavy springs and roller rockers.

Needs hardened lash caps, cheap insurance.

[TButtrick]

Can these valves be ground and resurfaced? These were assembled 185AFR heads so I'm assuming they are good valves and springs from AFR. The rockers are cheap chinese crap with no stampings whatsoever. Don't know if they are 1.6 or 1.7. I should probably just get new valves from AFR and lap them in.

[Three Peaks]

Originally Posted by TButtrick

Can these valves be ground and resurfaced? These were assembled 185AFR heads so I'm assuming they are good valves and springs from AFR. The rockers are cheap chinese crap with no stampings whatsoever. Don't know if they are 1.6 or 1.7. I should probably just get new valves from AFR and lap them in.

Don't go down the same road as the "engine builder" you are exposing. Do this the right way or let someone who knows what they are doing do it. First, you need to know what the cam is so you can match up the springs to the cam requirements. In the pic, it looks like the wrong springs were used, resulting in damage to the valves. It might be a good idea to take the heads to a good engine machinist and have him check the seat pressures. If they are okay for the cam specs, they can be reused. There have been many threads about the crappy springs used by AFR on their assembled heads.
Then, buy a set of valves to fit the heads from any reputable manufacturer, not just AFR. Check the valve seats to see if they have been damaged from hammering closed under heavy pressure. Have the valve seats reground and honed if necessary.

Check the lengths of the pushrods to be sure they are the correct length for the rocker geometry being used.You will probably want to get some good rockers, depending on your budget there are tons of good choices. For the low end pricing, the Scorpions are very good rockers. At a little higher price, I like the Comp Cams Pro Magnums. Check your pushrod guides for alignment and proper adjustment of the rockers once the heads are reinstalled. You may want to have someone check the seat pressure before installing the rockers just to be sure.

The clutch should be an easy fix. Get the proper flywheel and a good set of ARP or Ford flywheel bolts and pressure plate alignment pins. They come in a set with everything you need and the locktite already installed on the bolt when you buy them from Ford.

Last thing, with everything else that has been mentioned, you may want to have the internals checked for balance at this point just in case it was never done properly. In for a dime, in for a dollar will save you lots of heartache later- don't ask me how I know this.

Hope everything comes together okay and you don't have to spend an arm and a leg to get back on the road.

Bob

[Woodz428]

Although I'm not sure whether the terms are applied correctly, I think that is criminal. I agree with Rick L, those bolts look stretched, the washers also appear to be the wrong size.....I can't even comment on the flywheel. I've never had a flywheel not mount up, I'd have to wonder about the flywheel mfg. too.
Regardless of whether you call them an assembler OR builder, there are a ton of individuals in this profession (like all of them) that only see the $$ and not the long term. Unfortunately it seems that Wall Street has set the example and they get rewarded for it. With that as an example it's easy for those with slim integrity to adopt that mentality.

[mdross1]

In this business there are all levels of engine people.Some that are perfectionists,machinists,all the way to backyard mechanics.I have witnessed engines being assembled on dirt floor sheds with howling winds blowing sand everywhere.Seriously!!! Of course these engines do not last.I for one do all my own work.Measure everything else farmed out before assembly.Always ask the pro's when something new comes onto the market.

[TButtrick]

Originally Posted by Three Peaks

Don't go down the same road as the "engine builder" you are exposing. Do this the right way or let someone who knows what they are doing do it. First, you need to know what the cam is so you can match up the springs to the cam requirements. In the pic, it looks like the wrong springs were used, resulting in damage to the valves. It might be a good idea to take the heads to a good engine machinist and have him check the seat pressures. If they are okay for the cam specs, they can be reused. There have been many threads about the crappy springs used by AFR on their assembled heads.
Then, buy a set of valves to fit the heads from any reputable manufacturer, not just AFR. Check the valve seats to see if they have been damaged from hammering closed under heavy pressure. Have the valve seats reground and honed if necessary.

Check the lengths of the pushrods to be sure they are the correct length for the rocker geometry being used.You will probably want to get some good rockers, depending on your budget there are tons of good choices. For the low end pricing, the Scorpions are very good rockers. At a little higher price, I like the Comp Cams Pro Magnums. Check your pushrod guides for alignment and proper adjustment of the rockers once the heads are reinstalled. You may want to have someone check the seat pressure before installing the rockers just to be sure.

The clutch should be an easy fix. Get the proper flywheel and a good set of ARP or Ford flywheel bolts and pressure plate alignment pins. They come in a set with everything you need and the locktite already installed on the bolt when you buy them from Ford.

Last thing, with everything else that has been mentioned, you may want to have the internals checked for balance at this point just in case it was never done properly. In for a dime, in for a dollar will save you lots of heartache later- don't ask me how I know this.

Hope everything comes together okay and you don't have to spend an arm and a leg to get back on the road.

Bob

That's good advise. Thanks. What did you notice about the springs to think they were not suited?

The heads are going on a 347 short block that has just been gone through by my trusted builder. Line honed, all new bearings, timing chain, etc. The peripherals are coming off a 331 that will be going to my builder for the same treatment. I'll take the heads to him and have him go through the combo with respect to the 347 cam.