Shaving heads anyone know a shop in Mass

[95blackz26]

ok if this isnt the right section im sorry. wasnt really sure where to put it and it is performance related.

ok im looking to see if anyone knows of a shop or another place that shaves heads within an hours driving distance of North brookfield Mass.

would like a shop that's got a good history with shaving heads, also if they do different angle valve jobs that would be good too.



Another question kinda off topic from this. is it possible to do a cam swap without removing the engine. i know some people drop the subframe but has anyone done it with a 99+ grand am.

[cjperotti]

I'm not sure on the overhead valve engines what the tolerances are. You need to be careful in having this done. On overhead cam engines, they have a .0005 for gasket tolerance with a maximum .0010 shaving of the heads. Any more than that you throw the heads away; there junk.

I believe you have to drop the engine to change the cam. May I ask what cam your going to have installed.

[95blackz26]

milzy told me awhile back the safest to do with a stock cam was .020 off the head.

i know you cant go too far cause then you run into the problem with the luim not sealing and lining up right.

i got the 1357 grind from here cam specs (http://www.60degreev6.com/store/images/Cam/60V6regrinds.htm)

ive got a few other plans regarding the car.

the reason i asked it within that distance or up to a couple hours is that i dont want to have to ship them or have to sit around and wait for shipping.

[cjperotti]

The recommendation he gave you wasn’t so much for alignment as it is to timing issues. When you shave a head, you gain what is referred to as squeeze pressure in the cylinder. Too much squeeze pressure in the cylinder will cause a pinging from pre-ignition of compressed gas as the piston reaches TDC. The normal correction for this is back off on the timing. With distributor-less engines I don’t know if this can be accomplished. However, to compensate for that you may have re-bore your cylinder to allow for more room or less squeeze. But then, what would be the point of shaving when re-boring alone will give you the desired results you’re looking for? Maybe others have an opinion on this.

As far as a machine shop I ‘m not familiar with your area. However, If you have to ship it out to have work done I know of an engine rebuilder who specializes in racing engines in the Rochester, NY area. He’s in his early 60’s and has a son who works with him. This is all he’s done his entire life and is a guru, if you will, in engine machining. I can tell you that if you send the parts to him he’ll more than likely to have them done and shipped back to you the same day. Very reliable and quality orientated. If you need contact information let me know.

Thanks for the link. It gave me some information I was looking for that I couldn’t find elsewhere.

[TA^Guy]

Just curious why you are shaving the heads. Are you looking to incress the static compression ratio?

And as for the camshaft, yes wither you drop the subframe or yank the engine. If you really wanted to be creative you may be able to pull off a fender and drill a large hole in the inner fender in alignment with the camshaft to slide it out.

Ever consider a higher lift rocker arm to incress your cams profile instead of swapping the cam? It's far less work especially if you are already removing the heads for a valve job.

[Ralph]

I have been looking for a machine shop to do my HO as well. Let me know what you find.

[cjperotti]

BTW, when you take your heads off would you mind measuring the length and diameter of those stock pushrods for me. That information would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

[95blackz26]

Just curious why you are shaving the heads. Are you looking to incress the static compression ratio?

And as for the camshaft, yes wither you drop the subframe or yank the engine. If you really wanted to be creative you may be able to pull off a fender and drill a large hole in the inner fender in alignment with the camshaft to slide it out.

Ever consider a higher lift rocker arm to incress your cams profile instead of swapping the cam? It's far less work especially if you are already removing the heads for a valve job.

yeah i was gonna have them shaved for a slight boost in CR.

ive heard about the drilling the hole in the side of the car. dont remember where but i know it was on one of these forums.

there isnt anything out there that can be used on this engine that's above the stock 1.6 ratio. ive been asking for a few years.
you know of a high lift rocker that fits. ive already got the cam so if its something i can use with it and will give it some more hp then thats cool.

i was originally gonna build up motor using my old 3400 with ironhead 3.4 pistions and headgaskets. but the motor i got in the grand am now only has 7k on it so im just gonna use it and keep the bottom end stock.

its not my daily driver so im not really worried too much about the stuff you would with it being a daily driver.
BTW, when you take your heads off would you mind measuring the length and diameter of those stock pushrods for me. That information would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

i can measure for you tomorrow. i got a set from my old 3400.

[TA^Guy]

Ever contact any manufactures about the rocker arms? Like Crane, Competition Cams, Etc? Maybe send them one to see if they can produce them. It would be a much desired excellent upgrade for the 3400. I know going with a incressed ratio on the NA 3800 motor shows gains of 15-18hp, on a 3400 it maybe slightly less but not much. Fairly easy install too IMO.

[95blackz26]

couldnt find an email for crane but i did send an email off to comp cams, well have to wait and see what they say.

[cjperotti]

Okay, I’ve got to apologize here, I was so consumed with advising you of caution when shaving heads due to timing issues I totally ignored an important power factor. When you shave your heads, you will gain torque in your power source. How much torque I don’t know. However, any time you can increase torque you increase performance and that’s a good thing.