Derek

Since I get a ton of traffic on this thread I'm reaching out to HybridZ members. Dan is having trouble funding the site due to diminishing ad revenue. There is a funding drive going on here: http://forums.hybridz.org/topic/127731-hybridz-may-be-shutting-down/ I have donated 5 sets of speaker panels with 100% of the sales going to HybridZ. Two sets are gone so you better hurry:) No need to comment here just follow the link and donate. Thanks Derek

Putting the finishing touches on V3 before it heads out to Rebellos. Decided since there isn't a head on my car now would be a good time the check the hood clearance with the higher valve cover. And....It fits Running a tall deck will probably require a low profile oil cap. Sniff sniff....I wish it was mine:) Kind of looks like it belongs in there. Derek

Yea that is on my list for sure.

It's worth watching just to see the rotisserie. That thing is amazing.

Agreed. I actually ended up watching episode 1 again when I posted it. Any idea when episode 16 will be dropping?

So I posted this in another thread but figured I should put it here. They are doing a AWD conversion on a Mini Cooper. The fab work is really amazing. The video series is entertaining and really filled with a ton of great ideas. Derek

Here is the link to episode one of project binkey. I highly recommend everyone that is into this stuff watches the series as it's incredibly entertaining and very informative.

Well what we usually say to this is "good luck and take lots of pics" Good luck and take lots of pics. Derek

Their other rack units on Amazon seem to get good reviews. One thing I would be concerned about is the ratio. Is it the same or did they use something that is close. Just because it fits in the car does not mean it's the same.

Hi Trevor Not to poop on your idea but that kind of undertaking is daunting for an experienced fabricator let alone someone of your age. I'm 58 and have a full fabrication shop, and I mean full, and I would think twice about this job even if I was getting paid. Search out "Project Binky" on youtube. They are doing a AWD conversion on a Mini Cooper. After watching all 15 episodes you will have a better idea of what's involved in this type of conversion. It will give you an idea of the tools and skill sets required. You most likely won't get much of a response here because this is a project that really isn't feasible for most people. Derek

I'm runing a Vintage Air system in my 73. Couldn't be happier here in Florida. Do some searches for Vintage Air and 240Z here and on classic Z and you will find a few people who have done the conversions. Derek

Making some progress. Got the cams back from Crane. No major issues. They turn nicely by hand so that's a good thing. This is the only issue. I'm not sure if they screwed up or me but the rear bearing is not wide enough. I'll machine more off of the thrust area on the tower and dial it in. Not a big deal. Getting to the end of it. Hope to be shipping towards the end of next week.

I'm here:) HybridZ has always frowned on asking before searching. That is a double edged sword though since it can have a tendency stifle new discussions or approaches. Plus it drives new people away. I see stuff on reddit that can easily be answered by a quick search here. And the answers that are thrown around are sooooo wrong half the time. But if you use the correct reddit speak your totally incorrect answer gets voted to the top and my completely boring but correct answer gets voted into oblivion. I don't facebook so I don't know what goes on there. Times they are a changing:)

Just thought I'd update this post to let you know that as of july 16th when I pulled the car off the road the dash was still exactly in the same shape. No de-lamination at all. Absoloutly happy with the results.

Well the hammer came down last night. Got the email from photofuckit that I needed to upgrade. I decided to host the pics myself since I have web space. I downloaded the photofuckit album then re-uploaded it to my gallery page. The editing is pretty straight forward. When I go into edit mode on the post, I double click on the image. The insert image box pops up. I then do a search on my new gallery for the image name or number. It was the same since I was working with the same image from photobucket. I then copied the new image address into the edit box on the post and I was good to go. Now I have to do it about 300 times to update things:)

Maybe the site owners could pressure ipboard to create a script button so that when you edit your post you can click on an image and it will automatically re-host it at the site and change the HTML to direct it to the new copy. Probably a pie in the sky dream but I figured I'd throw it out there. Derek

Well I'm hosting all of my twin cam head picks on photobucket and for now the links still work. I can't even imagine having to go back and replace all of that:( Probably just a matter of time before they get around to hitting me.

Making progress on V3. The major machining is all done. I have a few little handwork items left but other than that it's pretty close to being finished. I had to build the front timing cover up a bit with some weld. I’ll blend it in better by hand. I’m also going to counter bore the bottom screws on the front timing cover so they will be hidden. That is a lot of valve cover:) The cams are over at Crane getting heat treated and the bearing journals ground. They said I should have them back by the end of the month.

Thanks for the tip on the 4943 rod. Although I hope to not have to repair this head that's good to know. Just for fun I sent a part of a Honda K20 head down to the foundry. They are going to test the rockwell on the exterior vs the combustion chamber. I was curious how the combustion process over time would change the hardness. I really don't have any data as to what sizing they did. Based on everything I see I'm really pretty sure it was operator error. This is all pretty basic stuff so if the seat bore isn't cracked then either the seat itself fractured or it was installed improperly. Well the seat bore isn't cracked so.....

Chrome moly I didn't specify a fit. I left that up to them.

Actually it was a generic aftermarket valve. I think I would regret not hanging on to my first cylinder head so It will be cleaned up an live it's life out in the comfort of a dusty corner of my office:)

If the seat doesn't drop in then you are removing metal. It may be at the sub atomic ( I pulled that out of my butt) level but it's removing metal non the less. So a press fit on an aluminum production head with massive process control is safe and predictable. On a custom or welded head getting the head heat soaked ( not just hot) and chilling the seats with nitrogen or equivalent seems like is the only way to ensure a proper fit. Otherwise you are broaching the hole. After more digging and analysis I'm leaning towards incorrect installation. But without a ton of checking and analysis it's really hard to say for sure. The car never runs hot even with the air on in traffic and this was in the evening. I have Speedhut gauges with warning lights so I'm sure I've never overheated it. The valve seat bore is not cracked. So eliminating those two things really points to defective seat/improper installation. The new heads with the HIP process will most assuredly improve the predictability and resilience of the metal. V3 machines like it's 6061.

Surprisingly there are more than I would have imagined. Rebello has 2 more sold besides the one I'm doing for him now and I have 3 people who either enjoy wasting theirs and my time or are ready to pull the trigger on one. The valve is bent a bit but still in one piece. So the problem was most def the seat. If this was a V3 head I would repair it without a thought but since it ultimately was heading for the shelf anyway I'm not going to put anymore resources in it.

Yep that's the way it went down. I figured the seat either cracked after it cooled or simply dropped out of the bore because it was oversized. I did a cursory inspection before I left the shop and didn't see any cracks in the casting.

Could be. Going to be tough to get an accurate measurement now that the bent valve has had it's way with the bore. The head was never overheated so I don't think it was anything on my end. I was going to change it out at some point with a production head anyway but realistically with the current demand I have for heads it will be 6 months or more before I'll be able to make it happen. Paying customers come first:)