• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech

OT: My Opinion of AFR

  • Thread starter Thread starter SorsCode
  • Start date Start date Nov 9, 2004

SorsCode

20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 10, 2003
1,022
432
113
St. Louis, MO
www.sorscode.com
Nov 9, 2004
#1
  • Nov 9, 2004
  • #1
Let me just say this is my opinion of AFR and what happen with a head I bought. I bought the head back in early February and once installed I had a bad oil issue.. I changed Intake Gaskets, PCV Valves, ran Breathers, done everything possible. I was have oil puddling up on number 8 cylinder. So I decided to send the head back because of what I figured to be a bad valve guide. They recieve the head and disassembled it and said nothing wrong with the Valve Guides but one of the employees told me just incase put that head on the Passangers Side and see if it followed. (This was in May). From May to August my block was at a machine shop getting re-honed just incase of bad rings. So in September I got the car back together and running. Oil issue was there but not as bad. But it did follow. About 4 hours of run time. (I rarely drive my car due to work and other things) October 22nd the Exhaust valve let loose and destoried the Piston, Bent the Rod, And screwed up the Combustion Chamber and sending pieces of the combustion chamber and piston through the engine. I had pieces in the upper intake all the way thru all 8 Cylinders. Each Cylinder was covered with shavings from the #1 Cylinder. Now to Today. AFR's CEO/Owner called me to let me know that I had P/V clearance which I did not have, so he decided to tell me It was because of Valve Float but I then told him Valve Float don't happen at 800rpms to 5400 (which my car never went to). He was very rude and would not let me talk or tell him what really happen. I told him I had proof of the P/V clearance and pictures showing assemebly and anything inbetween. But no matter what I said he didn't want to listen. So we got into a little argument and I just gave up and told him to send me the ruined head back but this time on there dime because the problem wasn't fixed the first time. Which after 5 minutes of negotiation he agreed to (unwillingly). These heads had maybe max of 6 hours of run time and street driven.

Like I said this is my opinion and wanted to express it. But with the way I was treated the last few days I will not ever by AFR heads again.

Sorry so long.
 

donjohn

New Member
Feb 7, 2004
1,757
0
0
Irvine - Southern California
Nov 9, 2004
#2
  • Nov 9, 2004
  • #2
wow, that sucks... first bad thing i've heard about afr (other than "trickflows are better")

so, now ur stuck with f'ed up heads? and and destroyed internals?
 

Joes95GT

New Member
Jan 23, 2003
3,132
1
0
Delaware
Nov 9, 2004
#3
  • Nov 9, 2004
  • #3
SorsCode said:
Let me just say this is my opinion of AFR and what happen with a head I bought. I bought the head back in early February and once installed I had a bad oil issue.. I changed Intake Gaskets, PCV Valves, ran Breathers, done everything possible. I was have oil puddling up on number 8 cylinder. So I decided to send the head back because of what I figured to be a bad valve guide. They recieve the head and disassembled it and said nothing wrong with the Valve Guides but one of the employees told me just incase put that head on the Passangers Side and see if it followed. (This was in May). From May to August my block was at a machine shop getting re-honed just incase of bad rings. So in September I got the car back together and running. Oil issue was there but not as bad. But it did follow. About 4 hours of run time. (I rarely drive my car due to work and other things) October 22nd the Exhaust valve let loose and destoried the Piston, Bent the Rod, And screwed up the Combustion Chamber and sending pieces of the combustion chamber and piston through the engine. I had pieces in the upper intake all the way thru all 8 Cylinders. Each Cylinder was covered with shavings from the #1 Cylinder. Now to Today. AFR's CEO/Owner called me to let me know that I had P/V clearance which I did not have, so he decided to tell me It was because of Valve Float but I then told him Valve Float don't happen at 800rpms to 5400 (which my car never went to). He was very rude and would not let me talk or tell him what really happen. I told him I had proof of the P/V clearance and pictures showing assemebly and anything inbetween. But no matter what I said he didn't want to listen. So we got into a little argument and I just gave up and told him to send me the ruined head back but this time on there dime because the problem wasn't fixed the first time. Which after 5 minutes of negotiation he agreed to (unwillingly). These heads had maybe max of 6 hours of run time and street driven.

Like I said this is my opinion and wanted to express it. But with the way I was treated the last few days I will not ever by AFR heads again.

Sorry so long.
Click to expand...
When you received the cylinder head back, did you pull the springs and have the pressures checked? Did you check the conditions of the keepers and valves? Are you sure they didn't send you a 185 head back? The 165 and 185 are from the same core and are easily mistakeable by someone in a hurry. Who did you buy the heads from originally?

Joe
 

SorsCode

20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 10, 2003
1,022
432
113
St. Louis, MO
www.sorscode.com
Nov 9, 2004
#4
  • Nov 9, 2004
  • #4
donjohn said:
wow, that sucks... first bad thing i've heard about afr (other than "trickflows are better")

so, now ur stuck with f'ed up heads? and and destroyed internals?
Click to expand...


Your Correct... But really i'm with out anything minus cam,rockers,pishrods. The block cracked do to the valve breaking loose. It cracked right through a water passage.

Joes95GT said:
When you received the cylinder head back, did you pull the springs and have the pressures checked? Did you check the conditions of the keepers and valves? Are you sure they didn't send you a 185 head back? The 165 and 185 are from the same core and are easily mistakeable by someone in a hurry. Who did you buy the heads from originally?
Click to expand...

Yes I did check to make sure they were 165 by the part number. My Machinist checked the springs and stuff like that even re-checked valve clearance. I bought the heads from Brian @ AD Performance who is a great person to by from BTW.
 

94CobraPace

Founding Member
Aug 30, 2000
907
1
0
Houston, Tx.
Nov 9, 2004
#5
  • Nov 9, 2004
  • #5
WOW, that sux big time. I know this is after the fact, but I would have had a local machine shop check out the head before reinstalling it on the other side.
Sorry to hear about your misfortune.
 

Joes95GT

New Member
Jan 23, 2003
3,132
1
0
Delaware
Nov 9, 2004
#6
  • Nov 9, 2004
  • #6
SorsCode said:
Yes I did check to make sure they were 165 by the part number. My Machinist checked the springs and stuff like that even re-checked valve clearance. I bought the heads from Brian @ AD Performance who is a great person to by from BTW.
Click to expand...
Brian is one of my favorite people to deal with.

I hate to be the jerk here, but I've got to say, when a valve lets loose, it's because of valve train failure. So, being that your machinist was the last person to disassemble the heads to check spring pressures, that means he was the last to assemble them. Blame AFR for crappy customer service. Engine failure lies solely on your machinist.

Joe
 

SorsCode

20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 10, 2003
1,022
432
113
St. Louis, MO
www.sorscode.com
Nov 9, 2004
#7
  • Nov 9, 2004
  • #7
Joes95GT said:
Brian is one of my favorite people to deal with.

I hate to be the jerk here, but I've got to say, when a valve lets loose, it's because of valve train failure. So, being that your machinist was the last person to disassemble the heads to check spring pressures, that means he was the last to assemble them. Blame AFR for crappy customer service. Engine failure lies solely on your machinist.

Joe
Click to expand...

You know I'm with you on this one. Thats why before the head was sent back to AFR he was the first one to get a call. But I will also admit I did double check his work just because i'm paranoid. And everything was a ok. But one this was obviuse (sp) was that the valve did have a hair line crack high up in the port that we all missed. I'm not upset at AFR for not fixing it but just how i was treated. BTW what I mean by double checking I mean just checking and making sure keepers are in place and checking for broken valve springs and whatnot
 

BlueOvalStangGT

Active Member
Oct 27, 2003
2,849
0
46
39
Tampa Florida....USF!!!
www.cardomain.com
Nov 9, 2004
#8
  • Nov 9, 2004
  • #8
STOCKERS FOR LIFE!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

H
Ongoing Battle With Hydraulic Lifters
  • hailer06
  • Jun 8, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
7
Views
305
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 9, 2026
Noobz347
S
Need help and Advise - 89 Problem Child
  • Sheela
  • Oct 28, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
160
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 28, 2025
evintho
M
Too much for me to repair in my current housing situation
  • My Drama Magnet 04 Gt
  • Apr 1, 2026
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
8
Views
299
The Welcome Wagon Apr 14, 2026
Noobz347
Opinions on a possible project car w/ pics
  • Teen'93stang5.0
  • Mar 29, 2026
  • 2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech
Replies
10
Views
283
2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech Mar 30, 2026
Teen'93stang5.0
B
My old account
  • bk_cauley (un) brian keith cauley
  • Feb 18, 2026
  • Feedback Area | Testing Zone
Replies
1
Views
263
Feedback Area | Testing Zone Feb 18, 2026
Noobz347
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?