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Shaved head problems 7.3

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Old Aug 9, 2005 | 07:33 PM
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double ott trep's Avatar
double ott trep
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Question Shaved head problems 7.3

Hey Ya'll,
Need advice, quick. Would shaved heads for a 7.3 idi non powerstroke cause the intake manifold bolts to not line up with the heads? Is there any fix for this situation? Not sure how much surface was milled off the heads. Thanks for the help.
 
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Old Aug 9, 2005 | 09:35 PM
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
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Are you sure the valley pan is in the correct location for the bolts to line up?

Since there are reliefs in the pistons for valve clearance, if the heads were shaved enough for the manifold bolts to not line up, I would be concerned about the valves clearing the pistons.
If that is not a issue, you can have the intake to head surface milled on the intake to get the holes back in line.

The intake holes have some room for alignment, if it will not go they must have taken a bunch off the heads.
 
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Old Aug 9, 2005 | 11:24 PM
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PLC7.3
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I sure hope the shop was an AERA affiliate or you may have got more then you bargained for....

Per AERA specs:
Stem to guide clearance (intake & exhaust): .0013" - .0055"
Valve height (measured from top of valve to "deck" height)
Intake: .042" - .054" Exhaust: .051" - .063"
Minimum head thickness (from "deck" to valve cover surface): 4.7950"
The head thickness is a MAJOR concern, if they shave too much off.

Try lifting the intake a bit then threading the bolts in.........
 
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Old Aug 10, 2005 | 04:21 AM
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double ott trep's Avatar
double ott trep
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Originally Posted by PLC7.3
I sure hope the shop was an AERA affiliate or you may have got more then you bargained for....

Per AERA specs:
Stem to guide clearance (intake & exhaust): .0013" - .0055"
Valve height (measured from top of valve to "deck" height)
Intake: .042" - .054" Exhaust: .051" - .063"
Minimum head thickness (from "deck" to valve cover surface): 4.7950"
The head thickness is a MAJOR concern, if they shave too much off.

Try lifting the intake a bit then threading the bolts in.........
I tried lifting the intake but the misalignment is enough that lifting the intake does not work either. I can install the intake bolts on either side of the engine by hand but once they are in place, the opposite side of the intake is off enough that the bolt threads are cutting into the aluminum intake. We are currently using a round file the enlarge the bolt holes on both sides of the intake so all intake bolts can enter the heads without gouging into the aluminum.
 
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Old Aug 12, 2005 | 07:12 AM
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It sounds like the heads are to thin. Before you go any further check out the head thickness (previous post gives the specs). If the head has been 'shaved' to much you will bend valves, damage pistons etc. Are the heads torqed down, with the vave train installed? if so turn engine over by hand and see if you have any valve clearance problems.
 
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