Taking the time to knock them down will not only speed up the process but also will save you from having to swap out worn bits. Start by looking for burs and heavy casting marks, as these are the first things you want to address. When you start the polishing procedure, you may still want to keep those carbide bits handy. (This is where you’re going to thank yourself for picking up long bits and even a whip attachment for your Dremel tool.) Your goal here is to get in and polish these imperfections to a smooth finish. When cylinder heads are cast, many of them skate through as-is with a rough finish in the ports and some casting marks or burs. Polishing is the easy step in this process but is still time-consuming. Port matching can result in the loss of this low pressure area, which can be detrimental to power. This step works to create a low pressure area that helps with drawing air out of the cylinders. Exhaust headers and manifolds often feature ports on the header or manifold that are larger than the head, which creates a step. I definitely recommend this as well, because any variables may change the seal and flow qualities of the port work.Īlso, you won’t want to do this for the exhaust side, just the intake side. One thing many people suggest is that once this step is complete, you should stick with the gasket you are shaping the ports to. After the carbide bit is used, go back over your work with a sandpaper or stone bit, so you can smooth out any rough spots or burs that may have been left behind. Using an arrowhead bit is going to help taper the opening to the rest of the port internally. Because you are removing metal, it’s a good time to break out your carbide bits. Take your time and work gradually around each edge. What you’re trying to achieve here is matching the port of the intake to the gasket you are using-no larger. So long as you gradually taper the port to match the head and don’t try to reshape it, you can’t really damage anything. Then, remove the gasket and gradually open the port up to match the gasket. The process starts by securing the intake gasket to the cylinder head and scribing the openings. It’s actually something many DIY guys leave behind, but it’s really pretty simple. Porting is the more intimidating step when tackling this job, as you are working to physically enlarge the ports.
It also wouldn’t hurt to lap the valves when you are finished. A light oil lubricant like WD-40 should be on hand. Because the head will be disassembled and small fragments of metal can get in the seats and valve guides, you will want a way to clean the heads properly when you are finished. You’ll also need the proper tools for tearing the head down and reassembling it-namely, a valve spring compressor. Though, if you intend on making this a regular process, it’s a worthy investment.)Īlso, you’re grinding up metal-so do not forget eye protection, ear protection, and respiratory protection. Additionally, a whip extension for your Dremel is going to make getting at hard-to-reach areas much easier. If you are just working with bits, make sure you have 3-inch and 6-inch shanks. (But don’t write off those sandpaper bits just yet-they’ll come in handy later.) For the port work and for knocking down heavy burs and casting marks, investing in carbide bits and stone bits is going to make your life much easier. But keep in mind that these kits generally consist of sandpaper bits. Now, the good news is you can purchase Dremel kits that have everything you need to port and polish heads, which is a great way to get yourself started. Porting and polishing cylinder heads is one of those jobs that is heavily dependent on the tools you have access to.įirst, you’ll need a Dremel tool to perform this task, along with the right bits and extensions. What exactly is porting and polishing? How is it done? What will you need? Let’s get an introductory look at exactly how you can teach yourself this new skill. Well, let’s explore what that would entail. And speaking of money, porting and polishing cylinder heads can cost hundreds of dollars that you might not have to spend. Not to mention, you have to take the time to research the best place for the job, so you know that money is well-spent. However, having the job done by a machine shop can cost a lot of money. Porting and polishing cylinder heads is something every engine builder knows they should do.
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