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Cylinder head flatness

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Old Feb 24, 2009 | 03:19 PM
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Cylinder head flatness

What is the spec on cylinder head warpage that you guys use? How much is too much? I have measured .005 warpage at a diagonal on the head. If that is too much what are the options out there for new heads. Stock? Fireringed?
 
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Old Feb 24, 2009 | 07:39 PM
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Don't quote me but I think .008 is max for ford.....
 
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Old Feb 24, 2009 | 09:07 PM
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.002 is max according to Ford (and you can quote me )

I couldn't resist .........
 
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Old Feb 24, 2009 | 09:10 PM
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Originally Posted by bismic
.002 is max according to Ford (and you can quote me )

I couldn't resist .........
SHOW OFF!! I couldn't resist either!!
 
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Old Feb 24, 2009 | 09:13 PM
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Originally Posted by uofmgriz
SHOW OFF!! I couldn't resist either!!

touche!
 
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Old Feb 24, 2009 | 09:14 PM
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Originally Posted by bismic
touche!
Nice!! *LOL*
 
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Old Feb 24, 2009 | 09:17 PM
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tjbeggs -

As I re-read your thread, you may be checking the flatness incorrectly. I will send you a pm w/ a link to a video - it may help (its been awhile since I looked at it).
 
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Old Feb 24, 2009 | 10:52 PM
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Bismic me send it to me too.. Please. Thanks
 
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Old Feb 24, 2009 | 11:59 PM
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.005 on the diagonal isn't much, I think they check all the bridges between the bolt holes and those have to be within .002. On the diagonal the bolt pressure will pull it flat.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2009 | 01:05 AM
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Originally Posted by cartmanea
.005 on the diagonal isn't much, I think they check all the bridges between the bolt holes and those have to be within .002. On the diagonal the bolt pressure will pull it flat.
Geat post Cartmanea - just rewatched the video. Ford states that you should not even check it on the diagonal - just across the bridges as you state.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2009 | 05:49 AM
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Take the heads to your machine shop, take off no more than .009 then head stud it.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2009 | 06:36 AM
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Originally Posted by bismic
tjbeggs -

As I re-read your thread, you may be checking the flatness incorrectly. I will send you a pm w/ a link to a video - it may help (its been awhile since I looked at it).
Thanks that was helpful. Never heard of anyone (OEM) wanting heads measured that way. But I was measuring overal warpage not between the bolt holes. But either way I started reassmbly yesterday. We called the machine shop we use and while I don't think they knew the info in the video they said they would put it back together. I believe that measuring it correctly it is fine.

Thanks for the help guys! Gotta get this one done by tomorrow afternoon as the customer has an appointment at BTS on Friday!
 
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Old Feb 25, 2009 | 09:07 AM
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Ford changed the specifications to eliminate replacing heads, mill the heads and do it correctly.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2009 | 05:40 PM
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carefull on the machining. if you get a come back say it has blown gaskets again due to the smaller combustion chamber. you had no choice. machining a head has the same effects as a chip. more boost because of a smaller chamber. id go with new heads if you dont want a cranky customer. well if you think about it... they will be cranky either way because the new heads are spendy and the old machined ones might cause a gasket blow again. anyways good luck. something to think about.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2009 | 07:39 PM
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Blown gaskets are a result of the head bolts stretching or bolts that turned right out in your hand because they were never torqued at the factory. My heads were twisted and bowed, so we machined both heads and installed studs.

I can truly tell you if any machined head were going to blow again I would have already done it. I see no one mention they checked the block, you should also consider this when doing the repair.
 
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