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Pitting on cylinder heads

Discussion in '348/355' started by Buckets, Nov 30, 2023.

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  1. Buckets

    Buckets Karting

    Sep 9, 2019
    130
    Seattle, United States
    Full Name:
    Nick Papagiorgio
    #1 Buckets, Nov 30, 2023
    I'm looking for a set of rebuilt heads for 95 F355. Anyone know if these are good? I noticed the chambers are really pitted, is this normal? Also does anyone know if good rebuilt lifters are available?

    Thanks


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  2. INTMD8

    INTMD8 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 10, 2007
    6,753
    Lake Villa IL
    #2 INTMD8, Nov 30, 2023
    My early 2.7 heads have some porosity though not as much as that. The photo of the cut cylinder head is a 5.2 head and the casting is cleaner.

    Other reason for the photos is, take a look at the edge of the exhaust valve seats.

    My heads were intentionally milled .020.

    The cut head is not milled. (so would guess the ones you have pictured have been milled a bit to get into the exhaust seats)

    Really you need to have confidence in the shop that did/does the work because aside from the porosity there's a lot of things that can go sideways when rebuilding these that you aren't going to see in a photo.

    Probably better off having your heads rebuilt by someone reputable and experienced if that is an option.

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  3. Ferrarium

    Ferrarium F1 Veteran
    Sponsor Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 28, 2018
    5,728
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Eric
    #3 Ferrarium, Dec 1, 2023
    Are they all like that or just 1 cylinder? Looks like damage, like something got in there prior to cause a failure. I had my 348 heads off and the chambers were smooth, they are after all machined. That “looks” like something happened after it was machined not before.
     
  4. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 14, 2011
    8,630
    SoCal LA/OC/New Mexico
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    Tim Dee
    #4 SoCal1, Dec 3, 2023
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  5. Buckets

    Buckets Karting

    Sep 9, 2019
    130
    Seattle, United States
    Full Name:
    Nick Papagiorgio
    #5 Buckets, Dec 3, 2023
    Thanks for the info and pics of the machined/unmachined heads. It sounds like I should have mine rebuilt or at least find a better set.
     
  6. GTO84

    GTO84 Formula Junior

    Dec 13, 2003
    566
    #6 GTO84, Dec 5, 2023
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2023
    Looks like it was damaged from a previous engine failure, and welded poorly. Those are porous holes from contaminants in the weld itself. At the top of the head in the first picture, there are small mark lines indicating the chamber was reshaped with a carbide burr afterwards. Get them crack checked, and welded. That big hole near the exhaust valve seat is scary. Seats need an interference fit, any looser and they drop like the Chinese economy.
    I would also check the rest of the engine internals if that is indicative of the previous owners budget.
     

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