New Build Kirkham KMP709 - Page 20

Dimis · #1 (**permalink**) 03-09-2015, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damage

Got to see some new Cammer heads today. Much nicer then the others.

Castings and machine work are much better then Coon heads and the guys who make them were happy to part with a set of them so I could fully check them out before I hand over any cash.

Well do tell... whose are they?
Where and pics for Rodknock please

damage · #2 (**permalink**) 03-10-2015, 06:49 AM

Would you believe right here in Brisbane. Cast here as well and only 5 minutes around the corner from the guy I'm using to do all the machine work.

And sorry I actually forgot to take pics.

I have to go over again tomorrow so I'll take some then.

Have to wait about a month now for some new valves, the valve design that was in the Coon heads was woeful so getting some new ones custom made out of titanium.

750hp · #3 (**permalink**) 03-10-2015, 07:04 AM

Are the intake/exhaust port locations and combustion chamber design consistent across both brands, or is there further reengineering required?

Gotta be happy with a local solution.

philminotti · #4 (**permalink**) 03-10-2015, 10:35 AM

Paul Munro I assume?

Just curious, Damage, but those of us who pay attention to cammers over here in the states have known about him for a long time. Had you never heard of him?

damage · #5 (**permalink**) 03-10-2015, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philminotti

Paul Munro I assume?

Just curious, Damage, but those of us who pay attention to cammers over here in the states have known about him for a long time. Had you never heard of him?

Philminotti,

In short yes I have heard of him and was also aware that he is/was able to supply parts. He actually lives in Melbourne which is about 1200 miles away from me.

Given that I was trying to resolve this as a warranty claim with the original supplier I hadn't exactly exhausted other options in regards to alternative parts suppliers.

He was a very hard man to track down with all the contact details that I found ending up being disconnected or dead ends. It wasn't until another friend on the forum told me where he was working that I was able to track him down and even then I couldn't get hold of him until just recently and to be honest it was the gent who I have undertaking my machine work that managed to get hold of him and discuss the in and outs of where to source parts.

The guys that make these heads as I stated previously are located in Brisbane not sure on their connection or arrangement with Paul.

damage · #6 (**permalink**) 03-10-2015, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 750hp

Are the intake/exhaust port locations and combustion chamber design consistent across both brands, or is there further reengineering required?

Gotta be happy with a local solution.

Craig,

In short the whole casting is far superior, ports and shapes are significantly better and will only require deburring and hand smoothing. The combustion chambers are identical with the exception that the spark plug relief area is finished off correctly with nice radius' as opposed to the coon heads that are square sharp edges. Guide areas have a lot more material around them and have nice flow paths etc.

The aluminium that they are cast from visually appears better and no porosity. The cam girdles are more stout and have cross bracing full width of the head. These heads feel about twice the weight of the others so that would give you the idea they have a lot more material in them.

We have some more tests to do but they look good.

RodKnock · #7 (**permalink**) 03-11-2015, 11:01 AM

Please remember to post some pics of the heads, when you have a chance.

Although I'm no longer considering a Cammer for my car, I'm sure other members here might be curious about the price of the heads and whether the shop making them is geared up to make more.

AUSSIE427SOHC · #8 (**permalink**) 03-11-2015, 07:20 PM

Hi All, Just came across this thread as I am a mad as Fe enthusiast and I am the one that machine's these heads for Paul Munro. I did meet you Dave at the all Ford Day at Willowbank at my friends auto blasting stand with the XA ute. I am glad you like the heads and the machining. They are certainly a lot different than the one's from the Us. I am currently in the process of machining some cam gears for Munro's 0.250" roller chains. I will assist you any way I can as I am sure that you will need it with your rebuild. The above picture is the very first prototype. A you can see, there was a bit of core shift with one of the water holes. We adjust for that by measuring each head individually. Cheers, Warren.

damage · #9 (**permalink**) 03-12-2015, 02:24 AM

Warren,

Hi mate yes Phil said I had met you before and I remembered the ute with the Cammer so pieced it together quick.

That photo you posted doesn't do your heads any justice the casting you have now is much better.

Looking forward to catching up to look at your other parts.

64galaxie · #10 (**permalink**) 03-12-2015, 04:29 AM

If anyone is interested i have a full Paul Munro cammer kit, which is heads,rocker covers,timing cover,stubby cam, all gears,2 x 4 inlet manifold,camshafts,rocker shafts,billet rockers,etc.Also a steel 482 stroker crank,carillo conrods,ross pistons,steel billet flywheel and a cammer specific water pump.All brand new never used asking 30K.
Regards
Pete.

damage · #11 (**permalink**) 03-12-2015, 07:08 AM

Craig, here's your chance, I can show you how to put it together or you can show me one of the two.

Tengu · #12 (**permalink**) 12-16-2015, 04:43 PM

Hey Damage, did you find why your timing chain broke?

I finally had my Keith Craft 428 ready to go. Dyno showed it underpowered by about 100hp.
Emails showed a lack of interest from KC.
Found the cam timing was off when it was installed at KC.
And then the timing chain broke at 4,800rpm.
Heads haven't been pulled off yet to check for damage. The oil dipstick shot out like a bullet.
Grrrrr....

damage · #13 (**permalink**) 12-16-2015, 05:34 PM

Tengu,

Timing chain broke principally from valve contact with pistons due to cam timing being way off. In some ways this was a blessing in disguise because the heads were cracked from substandard port work and then subsequent poor welding to repair the substandard port work, heads were cracked and not worth repair (in my opinion anyway). During the autopsy I also discovered that the timing chain was some cheap arrr's chinese crap, the timing chain roller thickness varied anywhere up to 5 thou and the rollers themselves had seam lines in them so were out of round and well no words to describe the quality, the pistons were hanging out of the sleeves about 450 thou past the reference point and a bunch of other issues that should have been attended to in the build process.

The lack of interest from Keith Craft doesn't come as a surprise, after 20 something odd emails (I havent bothered to count so may be off) this led me to posting on the forum to finally get some sort of lack lustre response that ultimately led to no help. I pretty much think Keith Craft is more then happy to pack up Friday engines and send them overseas and then thumb his nose when sh*t happens.

Sorry that you've been subjected to the same crap I had to deal with including bogus dyno sheets.

Moral of the story is buy local and save the heart ache I'm sure there are plenty of honest engine builders States wise but not worth the gamble.

deano59 · #14 (**permalink**) 12-16-2015, 05:57 PM

there is no way in the world i would buy a engine out of the states ive heard and seen so many horror storys not just from KC but many other's ,
we have so many talented engine builders here in Australia and with the dollar been what it is you may as well spend your money here . engine builders like bill mann and john sydney peter Michaels zoks race engines just to name a few off the top of my head . then there are plenty of smaller engine shops that turn out some killer engines like c&m engines in Adelaide just a one man shop but been in the game a long time and takes pride in his work ..
sorry to see your engine appears to have suffered the same fate as damages engine and hopefully it can be repaired and back in the car .
cheers dean

Tengu · #15 (**permalink**) 12-17-2015, 12:07 AM

Thanks damage, it's disheartening to say the least. I can't believe how many things were amiss with your engine, specially considering the cost involved. I'm feeling sorry for the engine builder in Sydney (Bill at BK Racing Engines) who just keeps finding issues with mine. Even the new bloody oil pan had a small hole in the dipstick weld when we first filled it with oil and primed the motor.
Just so I don't mislead anyone the dyno figures were quoted by KC as what my engine would achieve with my intake, carb and headers. Quoted 550/550 but only pulled 446 hp after a fair bit of attempted tuning. Torque dropped off dramatically mid way.The engine builder suspected the cam was off, and was right on the money.
Wife's definitely not happy, after losing the side oiler, and now this ...I promised her that this engine would have no issues because I was getting from a reputable builder ....yeah right...in the dog house again.
Haha....I've gotta laugh so I don't cry ��.
It will all be forgotten once the wind is in my hair again and I'm wrestling the wheel from lock to lock with rubber and bitumen spitting everywhere and thunder from the side pipes striking fear into every critter within cooee.
Life's such an adventure isn't it ?
If there's a next time.......local for sure.

Tengu · #16 (**permalink**) 12-17-2015, 12:09 AM

Just realised, I've sidetracked your post Damage, sorry mate. I'll just pop back in briefly when I get it all sorted.

Mike

damage · #17 (**permalink**) 12-17-2015, 06:34 AM

All good mate plenty of side tracks on this thread, I'm surprised no one drops in to protect their reputation.

Bernica · #18 (**permalink**) 12-17-2015, 10:30 AM

I read on another thread that Keith is no longer at KC engines. Don't know the details, just that it sounded like he had enough of the business. The thread post said that the shop is still open and being run by other folks.

Tengu · #19 (**permalink**) 12-23-2015, 01:29 AM

Thanks Damage, I seriously think they don't give a ****.

Bernica, the email reply I got from the guy who built my engine at KC was signed off with Lance, "Owner". And from the experiences I've had dealing with him, I pity any and all future customers.

damage · #20 (**permalink**) 12-28-2015, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tengu

Thanks Damage, I seriously think they don't give a ****.

Bernica, the email reply I got from the guy who built my engine at KC was signed off with Lance, "Owner". And from the experiences I've had dealing with him, I pity any and all future customers.

Lance was the guy supposedly helping me if you call responding to every 5th email helping. I reckon if he has bought the business of Keith you would have buckles and none chance of any help on a past engine purchase.