Head engine problem Brisbane - BENT
Cylinder heads bend as the result of overheating. In OHV pushrod engines the bend in a cylinder
head is often ignored and a surface grind to repair the face is all the repair that is necessary.
OHC engines suffer a different fate if cylinder head bend is ignored. Once an OHC head bends it
is necessary to straighten the cylinder head before a surface grind is carried out. The
straightening process is to ensure the camshaft turns freely and does not seize after the fitting of
a new head-gasket or rebuild. Engine reconditioners may use a few different methods of head
straightening. If heat is used to prepare the head for straightening care has to be taken to ensure
the head is not heated over 250-300 degrees C.
Severe damage can occur to a head such as inserts coming loose, valve guides moving and
worst of all alloy heads can become soft and unserviceable. A new method has been developed
that eliminates the need for heat, so the risk of damage is reduced.. Straightening severely bent
heads carries a high risk of cracking and in these cases it is desirable to replace the head rather
than repair it. The allowable bend in most OHC heads is around .005" to.006" (5 to 6
thousandths of an inch.). It is advisable to check how easy the camshaft turns in the head
without any valves fitted.
The camshaft must spin freely without any drag. Failing this, head straightening or tunnel boring
is required. Surface grinding a cylinder head may reduce it's overall head thickness to below the
allowable limits. If this problem goes unchecked and a below minimum thickness head is refitted
some running problems could occur.
After market gasket manufacturers have produced head gasket shims to rectify this problem.
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be excepted for errors, omissions or misuse of this information and procedures. The information
available on this site is for your instruction only and cannot be copied for sale, © copyright 2001
UMR Engines
Remachining face of
cylinder head
Controlled staightening
of cylinder head
Camshaft tunnels picked
up due to bend in head
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