Reasonable Time to Machine a set of Flathead Heads

5 months, for flathead heads? WoW....

I got my SBC heads back in 2 weeks. Guides, springs checked, 3 angle valve job.

I wouldn't think it would take 2 weeks to do flathead heads, but, after a month, I would get any heads out of the machine shop. Or they will land up on evil bay I would assume...

 

5 months for flathead ?? hell... my machine shop tanked pressuretested and magged then put new seats , cut the valves to my specs I gave them and set the springs up on a wedge style head and they build engines all the time and it only took them 2 weeks as I had to wait for parts .

go get them and send them to a Real shop .. sound like the guys who are giving the references like having there parts in the machine jail .

 

Does the shop do custom hot rod work? Or are they sitting on a shelf somewhere waiting for a "slow day in the shop". I had a set of heads planed last year, 8BA, at a good shop in Rochester. In one day, out two days later. And like others have said, I would damn well worry about a set of heads that scarce. And I also second or third the recommendation to let Ronnie do them, even with the freight each way.

 

Well the saga continues....I talked to the owner of the shop and he admitted to me via e-mail that they cant do the job,I was originally promised 30 days turn around time, but what is even more amazing to me is that they sent them out ! I was never told this from the beginning, he assured me that he would be sending my heads to me when he gets back from the car show on Monday,does anyone know a shop that can machine my heads ? they are original Kong Jackson twin plug heads and have never been machined to this day, more to come,thanks

 

I hope you got a receipt for those heads when you dropped them off. Or something proving they have them. I am beginning to think your gonna need it.

 

Wow. Sent them out!?

 

Heck,I built my 32 pickup from the ground up in less than 6 months.

I hope you get your heads back,,your dealing with a shady character. HRP

 

Best of luck getting "YOUR HEADS" back. Hope they are the same ones you dropped off....

 

When did he send them out? -- five months ago? Why aren't they done and back four months ago ....
Hope the "other shop" didn't "lose" them.......

 

I had a similar situation when I had my '54 hemi done about 20 years ago. I took it to what was purported to be a very reputable shop that built a lot of race engines for the local hot shoes. After months and months of runaround and excuses, I mentioned this to another local engine guy I was working with on a different project. He had heard of the situation and the bottom line was that the shop didn't know what to do about hemi's in general and roller tappet cams in particular. I went to pick up my engine the next day. The original guys were relieved that I came in got it. The second guy finished the motor for me (he knew that a bronze distributor gear for a SB Mopar would fit the hemi) and he did a great job for a lot less than the original "Big Shop" estimated. These guys were in over their heads with something they didn't work with, and were too embarrassed to admit it. I am with everyone else; GO PICK UP YOUR HEADS.

 

I don't understand what the problem is with these heads. There are no valves. It is a basic clean, crack check, check surface and mill if necessary unless you're having something done to the chambers it just isn't a difficult job. Unless there is a problem with the head gasket or the surface is pitted, I wouldn't send the heads out. Even if there are head gasket issues, the block is a more likely culprit.

I hope you can get them back!

 

I think if you read this thread you'll see that several folks have recommended Ronnie.

Good luck getting your heads back from the shop that the "reputable" shop sent them to. There is a pretty good likelyhood that it's going to be later than "Monday after the car show" that they get sent back to you.

You really do need to tell us who this shop is. The HAMB is a community of like-minded folks that for the most part help each other out when they can, and ratting out a bad shop is considered as helping. We do this so that others can learn from everyone else's experiences, whether they be good or bad. Capisce?

 

I believe I would be waiting for him to open the doors of his shop Monday morning,,ether the heads or a big stack of hundred dollar bills! HRP

 

exactly what I thought

 

"I talked to the owner of the shop and he admitted to me via e-mail that they cant do the job,,,"

Did you ask if he could possibly email the heads back? It 'would' be quicker.

Seriousley,no verbal or person to person communication on something like this is a no no.

 

Dose anyone know a shop that can machine these heads? HELLO first you have no heads to machine BUT if you ever get them back I bet I know someone who can do the job. Try Ron's Hobby Shop the owner has had some experience with flatheads for a while now and specializes in such things as valve pockets' doming for pistons surfacing and a host of other machining talents.
Ronnieroadster AKA Ron's Hobby Shop

 

Name this highly reputable shop so no other hambers get screwed by them. Highly reputable shops don't send work out and lie to customers.

 

Don't Lose Your Heads over a Crappy Little Tale........................Jeff

 

I agree, go get those heads, NOW!!!!!!! You have never said what you were having done to them either and several people have asked.
The pics don't appear to show spark plug holes or a relief for piston domee, what gives?????? Is there more to this story than you have related to us???

 

There are no heads, but it was an intersting thread for a while. If we ever see a set of twin plug Kong heads at Hershey or another swap meet what is a good buy to flip price? Bob

 

Sorry Mr. 37 KID ALL KONG Heads can be machined to twin pluggers..........

 

Sorry, my friend. But you need to say there "were" heads. Until you have them back in your hot little hands, you'd best believe they're long gone. BTW, this expert, reputable shop of yours ain't expert and the rep they've got probably isn't a good one. Follow the advice, e-mail them that you'll be on their doorstep to collect Monday morning and be there. With friends.

 

OK, I understand what all you guys are saying, so for the sake of peace of mind could we just say until one week from today 7/13/2013, they will be shipped back to me, if not in one week I will then concede to you guys and decide what to do then...thanks for all the support.

 

My Pal here in SLC did three pair of blank KONG heads for me - two twin pluggers and one single plug set, including combustion chambers and drilling all stud holes - took him less than ten days.
I'd be camped out on the doorstep Monday morning!

 

Let's hope that's so-awful lot of 13's there-glad you're not superstitious

Most of us would not be that patient. I hope we are all wrong.

 

Just wanted to say thanks to all the guys on this board for the support, the heads are on there way back to me now with a tracking #, my stress level has gone to a acceptable level, also I would like to make a formal apology to anyone I may have been short with, administrators included, this is out of character for me but still none the less not acceptable I will be searching for a machine shop to do the heads again thanks for all the help.

 

I see you're in FL, check around for some of the guys that are involved in nostalgia vintage oval racing. Some are old timers like myself and may know of an old machinist around somewhere nearby that is not only familiar with the work you want done, but has the equipment to do it.
I'm a 40+ year machinist and the work you want done, such as a matching dome, valve clearance and spark plug holes located, drilled and tapped with spotface on top for gasket and proper thread length, require not only skill, but specialized tooling that only an old timer will have.
True enough,there are CNC machines out there that will do the whole job in short order. But the machine's owner is trying to make a high dollar machine pay for itself doing high volume work, not one off, custom jobs.
Glad your heads are on the way home. I've been around this hobby/business a long time and have seen/heard about way too many instances where rare stuff just disappeared.
Dave

 

You just posted that they are going to Ronnie roadster
If they are going to Ronnie Roadster WHY are you still looking for a machine shop???
You best hope they are in the condition you left in.
Best of luck in getting them back & finding a good shop.

 

Don't keep us hanging. Did you get them?

 

Well I just wanted to tell everyone that I did receive my heads back today via UPS as promised and they are my heads un-machined in perfect condition, story closed...