Hi,

Working on my LT4 heads I think I overdid the floors of the intake ports, dipped a little below the gasket line. Since I'm a perfectionist this is intolerable, so where can I go to get material added? Could a regular welding/fabrication shop do it? How much will it cost?

Thanks for the help, I'm kicking myself!!

Remember, kids, don't drink and grind!

 

Best thing.... find a shop that has experience in welding aluminum cylinder heads. To do it right is to remove all the stuff that aint a native part of the head (seats, guides, etc) and then weld the head. Then it needs to be normalized, then the machine work needs to be performed (been through this process a few times). This is the only safe way to have a head welded, otherwise you end up with seats that like to move around, valves that are at different heights, ooh lala.
If it's just minor welding and you just have to have it done, then make sure the shop has an oven to preheat the head. With a prheat, you can weld a head without warpage but I'd still check everything when getting it back.

If this is just a minor mismatch at the gasket then I'd say leave it as it is. Especially being the port floor..... that section doesn't really matter as much, hence guys usually leave the floor alone other than to remove the flash and reshape the short turn.

-Mindgame

 

I mentioned in the other thread.. at this point, that probably isnt the worst problem with the port, so unless it's really bad, i'd leave it alone.

 

I've read that a little bit of a "step" up is actually good for reducing backflow to the intake. This in mind, should I match the intake to the head or leave them a little smaller?

The ceilings match up pretty well to the gasket, actually the other 3 sides look pretty good, I think it is my **** perfectionist coming out.

SkarodoM, so what IS the worst problem with the port you think?
Lloyd Elliot suggested that the main area to focus on with these heads is the valve throat area, which I haven't touched yet since my cheapo ebay electric die grinder *broke*.

 

On the intake side, I'd be surprised if you couldn't get away with epoxy in lieu of welding.