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Engine Specific Info and Questions => IDI Engine => Topic started by: gnavs on July 02, 2010, 02:49:15 pm

Title: Sources for bare heads
Post by: gnavs on July 02, 2010, 02:49:15 pm
I know these topics always turn to Prothe's products but I've been debating picking up one of his bare heads for my AAZ.  Only thing is I'd like to stick with the 7mm valves and his seem to all be 8mm.  I also remember hearing about some Brazilian made ones as well but can't find the link for it.  Can anyone here point me in the right direction?
Title: Re: Sources for bare heads
Post by: BAM on July 02, 2010, 03:21:37 pm
I get mine from the local machine shop and I think he pulls them in from Quebec.  I can always get 7mm or 8mm.
Title: Re: Sources for bare heads
Post by: gnavs on July 02, 2010, 03:27:34 pm
How much do they run you, if you don't mind me asking?
Title: Re: Sources for bare heads
Post by: BAM on July 02, 2010, 05:53:50 pm
I seem to remember somewhere around $450-500.  I will confirm Monday.
Title: Re: Sources for bare heads
Post by: rallydiesel on July 02, 2010, 06:36:14 pm
I thought you could switch to 7mm by changing out the valves and guides.
Title: Re: Sources for bare heads
Post by: BAM on July 02, 2010, 06:40:06 pm
I thought you could switch to 7mm by changing out the valves and guides.

yes the only difference is guides..
Title: Re: Sources for bare heads
Post by: 8v-of-fury on July 02, 2010, 07:12:59 pm
just a quick question. Why would you bother between 7mm and 8mm? what is the difference?
Title: Re: Sources for bare heads
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on July 03, 2010, 09:41:00 am
7mm valve stems flow better. not much better, but they do.
Title: Re: Sources for bare heads
Post by: UnderPSI on July 03, 2010, 10:11:16 am
Wouldn't larger backcut valves with undercut 7mm stems flow better?
Title: Re: Sources for bare heads
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on July 03, 2010, 11:13:32 am
were starting to talk a few CFM here..
Title: Re: Sources for bare heads
Post by: UnderPSI on July 03, 2010, 01:44:20 pm
It's like staged turbos, you see people talk about it but never see it done.
Title: Re: Sources for bare heads
Post by: Rabbit on Roids on July 03, 2010, 06:14:34 pm
you never know, i have been awefully bored lately.. i may start fabbing up a twin setup out of a VNT as the high pressure turbo, and a K24 as a temporary low pressure turbo. then a Merc 300D turbo when i can afford it. i can feel it coming boys..
Title: Re: Sources for bare heads
Post by: UnderPSI on July 04, 2010, 07:52:28 am
KO3 and a Schwitzer S1B would work well.
Title: Re: Sources for bare heads
Post by: gnavs on July 05, 2010, 07:39:21 am
The reason why I'm looking into this option is that my machine shop quoted me ~$200 to get new guides pressed into my head.  I figured for that price I might as well spend a bit more for a new one.  I'd like to stick with 7mm, not just because the slightly improved flow, but so I can reuse my valves. 
On the other hand, I do have access to a press but got cold feet before trying to press out the old guides.  I really don't want to press the new ones in cockeyed and an old mechanic friend got me sufficiently nervous about 10 seconds before attempting it myself.  Is there a special tool involved here?  I figure there's gotta be something better than using a brass punch  :P
Title: Re: Sources for bare heads
Post by: arb on July 05, 2010, 09:36:22 am
I know these topics always turn to Prothe's products but I've been debating picking up one of his bare heads for my AAZ.  Only thing is I'd like to stick with the 7mm valves and his seem to all be 8mm.  I also remember hearing about some Brazilian made ones as well but can't find the link for it.  Can anyone here point me in the right direction?

CALL his girls first !!  The loaded new head for $450 looks really attractive on the bang for the buck, but I gave him my $450 only for him to fill the rest of the order a few days later and cancel the head as it was "on back order" from China. After calling they said it would be 4 weeks. I asked that they hold the rest of my order... 3 weeks later, they still have 4 - 6 weeks before delivery.

With kids graduations and such, I should have waited until I had the old head off the block before ordering.
Title: Re: Sources for bare heads
Post by: BAM on July 05, 2010, 11:45:32 am
I would recommend stuffin some new guides in if you have no cracks.  Bare casting with 7mm guides is $803 cdn.  I priced a complete head retail $1548.  cost you $1100.  Prices have jumped in the last six months to the crazy position on the rector scale.  You can do them your self, tools required are 7mm guide driver and 7mm guide reem.  You can probably acquire both tools for under $100.
Title: Re: Sources for bare heads
Post by: gnavs on July 05, 2010, 12:12:30 pm
Excellent info!  I'd much rather get the proper tools and give it a go myself.  My current head does have cracks, which is why I'm looking down this avenue.  The cost of a new casting is way out of my price range at this point, might be experimenting with a Prothe head if I can get one in the near future.
Next question, when it comes to removing/installing guides, is a press a press?  Or is there something special in that department as well.  Like I said, I've got access to a hydraulic press and I'm assuming with the correct guide driver things will go smoothly.  
I'll start scouring the internet for these tools, or if you have a direction you can point me in that would be great too.   ;D
Title: Re: Sources for bare heads
Post by: BAM on July 06, 2010, 02:08:15 pm
REAMER - http://auctions.findtarget.com/detail_product/300442897822/valve_guide_reamer/ (http://auctions.findtarget.com/detail_product/300442897822/valve_guide_reamer/)

I found this kit for installing the guides thought it was cool (better than i have) - http://www.roweusa.com/095000.htm (http://www.roweusa.com/095000.htm)
Title: Re: Sources for bare heads
Post by: burn_your_money on July 06, 2010, 07:10:12 pm
Look in the bentley for the special tool P/Ns and then search for them here
http://buy.equipmentsolutions.com/login/login_va.aspx?cat=vw (http://buy.equipmentsolutions.com/login/login_va.aspx?cat=vw)
Title: Re: Sources for bare heads
Post by: fatmobile on July 06, 2010, 11:10:38 pm
My mechanic says pressing the guides out takes aluminum with them.

 he suggested drilling them until they are thin and pulling them out.