Re: 1948 288 Engine Head Refurbish

Posted by Fish'n Jim On 2017/9/27 8:29:01

One more thing.
I don't see where the block was similarly checked for flatness. Take a machinists straight edge and shine light under and measure gaps with feeler gauges.
If that .007" "low spot" has a corresponding one on the block, you'll could have leakage if just one side is decked.
It's a tough call, because head is close to spec but one spot is suspect and overall damage from years of mating dissimilar metals. I'd make sure my machinist has a lot of experience with flat heads.
This is going to be more common as these motors age. The damned if you do, and damned if you don't scenario. It's expensive to cold spray something of this size all over to build up and once metal is removed, it's gone. Eventually, with no new parts available, cast will deteriorate to a point of unfit for service so it remains a scavenger exercise.
With the right care and anticorrosion agents in the coolant,
it should function for another 70+ years.