Cylinder head machine marks

[Fixingfarmer]

Had been waiting 4 months for 3 cylinder heads and a block to get done locally so I tried getting one of my personal ones (jd 38B lawnmower the spare cylinder head aka the original) resurfaced as a test of a new place. It came back completely smooth no cutter marks like an aluminum car head. I have never seen that on a cast steel head heavy equipment head. Thoughts as to is this a personal preference or should I mention it to the new place or continue on to somewhere else he had a 466 head sitting there which is similar to the next project and was done in a week. I understand the importance of keeping the relationship with the place I have been currently going and have used them as much as I can but I also at that rate would have to have 9 things in the shop at once just to keep in the black and that's not feasible (nor should it be).

Regardless on the B it will be tried as it is but it will be awhile.

Thoughts appreciated!

 

[wore out]

Had been waiting 4 months for 3 cylinder heads and a block to get done locally so I tried getting one of my personal ones (jd 38B lawnmower the spare cylinder head aka the original) resurfaced as a test of a new place. It came back completely smooth no cutter marks like an aluminum car head. I have never seen that on a cast steel head heavy equipment head. Thoughts as to is this a personal preference or should I mention it to the new place or continue on to somewhere else he had a 466 head sitting there which is similar to the next project and was done in a week. I understand the importance of keeping the relationship with the place I have been currently going and have used them as much as I can but I also at that rate would have to have 9 things in the shop at once just to keep in the black and that's not feasible (nor should it be).

Regardless on the B it will be tried as it is but it will be awhile.

Thoughts appreciated!

MANY years ago a machine shop I was using replaced their wet cylinder head GRINDER with a Van Norman Rotary Broach.

They did work for area John Deere dealers including warranty work and DEERE didn't want the head surface shiny/mirror smooth, but rather wanted a specific "roughness" to grip the gasket.

 

[Fixingfarmer]

MANY years ago a machine shop I was using replaced their wet cylinder head GRINDER with a Van Norman Rotary Broach.

They did work for area John Deere dealers including warranty work and DEERE didn't want the head surface shiny/mirror smooth, but rather wanted a specific "roughness" to grip the gasket.

Thats a little bit what I was afraid of. How do I describe that to the machinist? Im leaning toward saying I want to see the machine marks when done as they are when the head arrives...obviously he tried to do a really good job on the B I told him I'd have a lot more for him...and for cars and such I think he's spot on.

 

[timcasbolt]

There should be a surface finish specification somewhere that defines the finish in microinches.

 

[moresmoke]

Surface finish on sealing surfaces is dependent on the gasket material used and the materials being sealed. As noted above, there is a spec for many applications.

 

[Hobo,NC]

Had been waiting 4 months for 3 cylinder heads and a block to get done locally so I tried getting one of my personal ones (jd 38B lawnmower the spare cylinder head aka the original) resurfaced as a test of a new place. It came back completely smooth no cutter marks like an aluminum car head. I have never seen that on a cast steel head heavy equipment head. Thoughts as to is this a personal preference or should I mention it to the new place or continue on to somewhere else he had a 466 head sitting there which is similar to the next project and was done in a week. I understand the importance of keeping the relationship with the place I have been currently going and have used them as much as I can but I also at that rate would have to have 9 things in the shop at once just to keep in the black and that's not feasible (nor should it be).

Regardless on the B it will be tried as it is but it will be awhile.

Thoughts appreciated!

I would ask the machinist it should be an easy question for him to answer. Personally I take my work to a shop that's well equipped to offer the best possible outcome for the application. Those that did not keep up with changing technology are out of businesses AKA your local auto-parts machine shop. I have been bit bad from some work they did because they used one set up are machine for all applications. The info you are asking is out there.

Cylinder Head Resurfacing -Surface Finish & Gasket Sealing Theory : MA,CT,RI,VT,NH,ME,NY,NJ

R & L Engines Cylinder Head Milling Services Include: angle Milling and Super finishing for MLS gaskets. Cylinder head surface finish and gasket sealing theory.

www.rlengines.com

What is a Cylinder Head Resurfacing Machine?

The cylinder head resurfacing process is an important aspect of maintaining the health of your vehicle engine and cylinder head.

www.cylinder-heads.com