Hey all, last year my motor blew because of too much timing, anyway I'm doing a new setup but my engine builder noticed a bunch of cracks in the head between the valves. This is not a pic of my head but a pic of another head, I just took this picture to point out where the cracks are (circled in red dot). The circles in the pic is not exactly where the cracks are, jsut showing about where they are since I don't have my head on me right now. Anyway, my engine builder pressure tested the head with 80lbs and it didn't leak at all. This will be a 400+ whp setup. The head has portflow valve springs and retainers and skunk2 valves so I don't know what to do here. Will the cracks get any worse as I'm boosting? Should I still use the head since it pressure tested fine?

 

maby send it to a machine shop and get it fix, if it's cheaper then buying a different head in better condis? better safe then sorry.

 

Yeah, he said it'll be cheaper to get a new head and transfer them over. Theres probably about 6-7 different crack spots. I'm just wondering, can the cracks get bigger as I'm boosting or will they only get worse if I detonate. The cracks got there originally because of detonation, and I mean hardcore detonation. 24 degrees of timing at 18psi

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B18 CYA &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Anyway, my engine builder pressure tested the head with 80lbs and it didn't leak at all. Should I still use the head since it pressure tested fine?
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Maybe i'm on crack or something but if he tested it at 80lbs....isn't there a hell of a lot more pressure in the combustion chamber than 80lbs? So how good is that test? IDK maybe thats how they test them but it doesn't make sence to me.

If the head has no porting I would just get another head. Maybe take close up pics of your head so we can see the cracks?

 

if the head has no porting just get a new cast, not worth running the risk of ruining your turbo/black/everything just cause u cheaped on a new cast

 

All 4 of my Comb. Chambers look bad but not as bad as those, I dont have a before picture but my local machine shop hooked it up.

My camera sucks so it is hard to tell but look at the weld at the edges

We originally thought it was cracked in one area and put a small spot weld on it and grinded it down

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 80884 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Maybe i'm on crack or something but if he tested it at 80lbs....isn't there a hell of a lot more pressure in the combustion chamber than 80lbs? So how good is that test? IDK maybe thats how they test them but it doesn't make sence to me.

If the head has no porting I would just get another head. Maybe take close up pics of your head so we can see the cracks? </TD></TR></TABLE>

I'll do that when I get the head back. Sure there may be more pressure but isn't 80lbs enough to test if it'd leak?

 

I'm not sure, what did he test? Seal off combustion chamber and pressurized it? I'm no machinist so idk if 80lbs would be enough.

Either way I would still get a new head. Just for the sake of not having to worry if it is ok and will be fine. Thats just me tho.

 

Yeah found a head locally here. Time to transfer all my **** over. what a hassle...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B18 CYA &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Theres probably about 6-7 different crack spots.(</TD></TR></TABLE>

Why risk it? Get a new one

 

My buddy broke a valve in his all motor civic and all he did was clean the head up and toss a new valve in and the thing ended up makeing more power ... dont ask i still dont get it haha. But i wouldnt risk it, get a new one or have a machine shop weld in the low spots and re-shape the chambers then it should be ok ... cheaper ehh maybe not.