074 head repair

elonblock · #1 03-15-2009, 11:42 PM

Albert,

Depending (which is a big if) on what type of damage you have, as a "home" cure option you can use a high quality epoxy like Marinetex.

I used to work at a cylinder head shop where the guys porting the heads would accidentally grind into a water jacket or breakthrough a port.

We saved a lot of heads using epoxy.It takes some practice to fill the hole and grind/smooth it down. And it can be done with good results.

As a plan B, we had a guy who could really weld aluminum like a magician.

Can you have your machinist take a look at the heads and get an idea of exactly what you are dealing with?

Elon

JoeG · #2 03-16-2009, 02:24 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Albert,

Depending (which is a big if) on what type of damage you have, as a "home" cure option you can use a high quality epoxy like Marinetex.

I used to work at a cylinder head shop where the guys porting the heads would accidentally grind into a water jacket or breakthrough a port.

We saved a lot of heads using epoxy.It takes some practice to fill the hole and grind/smooth it down. And it can be done with good results.

As a plan B, we had a guy who could really weld aluminum like a magician.

Can you have your machinist take a look at the heads and get an idea of exactly what you are dealing with?

Elon

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto,he makes good sense---this is not the time to rush things.......Forget the grout..

**wheelhop** · #3 03-16-2009, 04:44 AM

How about that stuff that Billy ?????? something sell on the infomercials??? Mighty Putty

DarrenX33 · #4 03-16-2009, 05:20 PM

[ QUOTE ]
How about that stuff that Billy ?????? something sell on the infomercials??? Mighty Putty

[/ QUOTE ]

Funny Hanke.

**njsteve** · #5 03-17-2009, 01:25 AM

I think you should fill the hole with Shamwow! It's miraculous at water absorption.

**Alss** · #6 03-16-2009, 04:45 AM

I have the name of a nearby reputable head shop (LOL) ..will call tomorrow and see what they have to say..been a tough couple of days..hope this all works out soon...thanks everyone

Albert

**Alss** · #7 03-16-2009, 04:55 PM

Got this from a guy on Team Chevelle..its the problem I have....

Think it could be fixed??

This was a common procedure back in the day of those heads, to put in longer rocker studs on the bottoms, and unless you were real careful you ended up drilling clean through the exhaust crossover? This is only on one stud on each head! The idea was to "double-helicoil" the original threads by drilling down deeper! Both these particular studs needed to be 'trimmed" in their respective locations before installation!

ARP still sells the stud package for these heads!

You don't say how much water was in where, but this was a very common error when working on the "074's" AND the later "077" casting as well!

**427king** · #8 03-17-2009, 03:15 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I have the name of a nearby reputable head shop (LOL

[/ QUOTE ] What shop built the motor? ...Pat Musi is right around the corner,and hes one of the best. Why put repaired heads on a 25K motor anyway if youve already had 3 problems?

Chevy454 · #9 03-17-2009, 04:13 AM

IIRC, Indy Cylinder Head used to be where all the bad heads went...

**Alss** · #10 03-17-2009, 04:42 AM

Head is not that bad...water is in the heat crossover due to drilling the exhaust stud too deep. Spoke with several shops today and we all agree no harm in letting the water be in the heat tube..going to block it off at the manifold with a stainless plate under the intake gasket..should seal the water out of the intake and Im good to go..will keep everyone posted on how it works out..thanks

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