Damage To Aluminum Heads...opinions?

R

redneck15431

Member

May 13, 2006

83

3

9

Mar 2, 2014

#1

• Mar 2, 2014

• #1

I am in the process of installing brand new Twisted Wedge heads. Due to a bad day yesterday and butter fingers, there was some damage done to one of the heads. I am not happy with myself over it, but things happen...and I'm hoping it's not too bad. The scratches are minor, but you can slightly catch a fingernail on them. And upon removal of the head the second time, one end slipped from my oily hands and landed on an edge of the block. Attached are pics..please let me know what you think. Thanks!

 

Attachments

• IMG_4950.webp

  23.3 KB · Views: 241
• IMG_4951.webp

  63 KB · Views: 255
• IMG_4952.webp

  91.1 KB · Views: 245
• IMG_4953.webp

  119.8 KB · Views: 234
• IMG_4955.webp

  54.7 KB · Views: 222

rbohm

Founding Member

Apr 12, 2002

6,698

550

204

tucson,az

Mar 2, 2014

#2

• Mar 2, 2014

• #2

the damage is minor, and easily repaired. for the head gasket surface, take a large file and run it across the head surface until the scratches are gone. with aluminum you want a fine tooth file and clean it often, and dont forget the WD40 to spray the head down for lube and cleaning. you can use some machinists blue on the head surface as a guide for how far to file the head. when you can draw the file across the head surface and all the blue is gone, you are done.

 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

Admin Dude

Jan 4, 1985

43,135

21,306

234

Box behind Walmart

Mar 2, 2014

#3

• Mar 2, 2014

• #3

If you have not done the kind of work that @rbohm is talking about, it may be worth the expense of getting it done at a machine shop. Grinding too deeply into a gasket surface can cause some undesired results.

 

84Ttop

They make new pistons every day, so why worry?

5 Year Member

Jul 2, 2009

5,222

3,254

204

South Jersey

Mar 2, 2014

#4

• Mar 2, 2014

• #4

Like the others have said, this is very minor damage. If you don't feel confident enough to dress them with a file let the machine shop do it but either way its no biggie!

 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

Admin Dude

Jan 4, 1985

43,135

21,306

234

Box behind Walmart

Mar 2, 2014

#5

• Mar 2, 2014

• #5

This is a cool little video:

Should help to prevent any uneven filing etc:

 

R

redneck15431

Member

May 13, 2006

83

3

9

Mar 2, 2014

#6

• Mar 2, 2014

• #6

Awesome video!! Thanks for the replies! I am getting it taken care of. This is my first experience with aluminum heads, didn't realize how delicate they really are. I am used to the cast iron heads. I will definitely be more careful; can't wait to get my engine back together!

 

rbohm

Founding Member

Apr 12, 2002

6,698

550

204

tucson,az

Mar 2, 2014

#7

• Mar 2, 2014

• #7

redneck15431 said:

Awesome video!! Thanks for the replies! I am getting it taken care of. This is my first experience with aluminum heads, didn't realize how delicate they really are. I am used to the cast iron heads. I will definitely be more careful; can't wait to get my engine back together!

Click to expand...

this is why i specified a fine file and cleaning it often. and also why i recommended coating the surface with machinist blue dye to guide your way. if you decide to do this, take your time and definitely use the machinist blue dye as a guide.

 

FoxMustangLvr

I love my Pimp

SN Certified Technician

Oct 14, 2012

4,968

3,514

204

Spokane, Wa

Mar 6, 2014

#8

• Mar 6, 2014

• #8

Spend a few bucks on some gloves bro!!

Good luck resurfacing them, i'd do it like the video so you know you have it smooth and even all the way across.