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- Feb 26, 2022
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Hi folks,
I am finally back to rebuilding my MKIII engine and have hit a situation that has me a bit stressed. It looks like I have two courses of action and I don't like either of them, so I wanted to see which choice people think is the wisest.
I had my valves and guides redone and helicoil inserts put into the three stud locations as this is a known weak point on these heads. Well, I just went to dry fit the head onto the barrel and the head studs don't quite align with the jug holes. I don't believe its off by much, but its enough that it absolutely won't fit. So a helicoil must have been drilled misaligned. I spoke to the gentleman who did the work and he suggested either opening up the hole in the cylinder barrel with a rat tail file or drill press, OR send the head back to get the helicoil reinstalled.
I hate to risk damaging my cylinder barrel to fix my damaged head, and don't have much experience with cast iron but feel I shouldn't have drills or files around a freshly decked gasket surface unless its absolutely necessary. And I'm not sure how a cockeyed nut would fare in holding things tight. So I'm not thrilled about the idea of modifying the jugs. But I'm also not confident a helicoil insert can be "redone" without compromising the integrity of the connection. I'm not a machinist and I don't have enough experience with what is and isn't possible. Given this situation, what would you guys do here?
Thanks,
Anthony
I am finally back to rebuilding my MKIII engine and have hit a situation that has me a bit stressed. It looks like I have two courses of action and I don't like either of them, so I wanted to see which choice people think is the wisest.
I had my valves and guides redone and helicoil inserts put into the three stud locations as this is a known weak point on these heads. Well, I just went to dry fit the head onto the barrel and the head studs don't quite align with the jug holes. I don't believe its off by much, but its enough that it absolutely won't fit. So a helicoil must have been drilled misaligned. I spoke to the gentleman who did the work and he suggested either opening up the hole in the cylinder barrel with a rat tail file or drill press, OR send the head back to get the helicoil reinstalled.
I hate to risk damaging my cylinder barrel to fix my damaged head, and don't have much experience with cast iron but feel I shouldn't have drills or files around a freshly decked gasket surface unless its absolutely necessary. And I'm not sure how a cockeyed nut would fare in holding things tight. So I'm not thrilled about the idea of modifying the jugs. But I'm also not confident a helicoil insert can be "redone" without compromising the integrity of the connection. I'm not a machinist and I don't have enough experience with what is and isn't possible. Given this situation, what would you guys do here?
Thanks,
Anthony