My From Start to Finish 6.0L Build

[RAMurphy]

Yesterday we took Molly (she will be 15 in May) to the vet for a routine examination and her 3 year rabies shot. During the exam, the vet identified a heart murmur (rated 3 out 6 severity).

Talking to her and possible options - her recommendation was for her to see a cardiologist to determine exact cause and health of the heart. My first response was that she was approaching 15 and I was not sure if I wanted to spend that kind of money. Looked down and Molly was looking directly at me with her puppy eyes. Yes, she may be going on 15, but she still acts like a puppy. So, I scheduled an appointment with a cardiologist May 23rd to discuss options.

 

[RAMurphy]

My wife reminded me that our dog Molly turns 15 the day of her cardiologist appointment. For the past several weeks I've been recording her respiratory rate. Nothing abnormal during this time.

 

[RAMurphy]

Ordered a few more parts for my build. Valley cover and gasket and a few more sensors (knock and harness). Researching rocker arms. Pulled my cover off the engine and all is good. My last daughter is getting married next year so I better get these heads ordered.

 

[RAMurphy]

So after an evaluation of my build, what i really need and want in this build (it's not a race car and I want lower end torque and performance), cost of the build to date, what i still need to purchase (torque converter and a few other parts), what I already spent on this thing and my youngest daughter's upcoming wedding - I decided that the heads I wanted to buy was money I did not want spend. I should mention my wife, best friend, the greatest life partner, mother and grand mother had no impact to this decision. That said, today after some couple of days of lengthy research on both what I wanted, cost and availability - I ordered my heads and gaskets for this build. Calculations indicate I should be right around 10.5 compression ratio. Just where I want to be.

 

[Tonyrodz]

So after an evaluation of my build, what i really need and want in this build (it's not a race car and I want lower end torque and performance), cost of the build to date, what i still need to purchase (torque converter and a few other parts), what I already spent on this thing and my youngest daughter's upcoming wedding - I decided that the heads I wanted to buy was money I did not want spend. I should mention my wife, best friend, the greatest life partner, mother and grand mother had no impact to this decision. That said, today after some couple of days of lengthy research on both what I wanted, cost and availability - I ordered my heads and gaskets for this build. Calculations indicate I should be right around 10.5 compression ratio. Just where I want to be.

Which heads did you go with?

 

[RAMurphy]

10,000 dollar question. I guess I didn't post the heads I went with for this build. Sorry, getting old. So I went with a set of Summit Racing Heads -

Precision Cast Cylinder Head SUM-162LS210CATH​

 

[RAMurphy]

Pretty surprised that while at the office I get a text message my engine heads were delivered. They were packaged in a Styrofoam fitted container in a box in another box. Left on our covered porch and then the heavy rains came. My wife went out there to bring the box in, but we know how heavy heads can be. She ended up sliding it closer to the door. I got home tonight and went out and picked up the box and opened it up and broke open one of the boxes that contained one of the heads. These are nice looking heads. Will post pictures in the next day or two. However, I'm second guessing the thickness of the gasket I ordered (.055). Realized I changed the pistons in my rotating assembly last minute based on suggestions from my tech rep at Texas Speed (again getting old). Went from a +4cc dome to a -2cc flat head. Reached out to Summit Racing, Black Bear and Roger Vinci to help determine optimum thickness. Summit Racing suggested .065 to .075. Seems thick. Haven't heard yet from the other two. Thoughts?

 

[RAMurphy]

As promised a few pictures of my new heads.

 

[RAMurphy]

I have all the parts to install these heads. Assuming the heads gaskets I have are the ones I will use. This weekend I will be redoing some measurements and make the final decision on the thickness of the head gasket I will use for this build. Parts are still coming in: various bolts for installing sensors (arrived today), trays for lifters (arrived today), valve covers (tomorrow), coolant crossover and various other parts. Will be reaching out to CircleD for thoughts on torque converter in the next day or two. Pretty excited about moving forward again.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I have all the parts to install these heads. Assuming the heads gaskets I have are the ones I will use. This weekend I will be redoing some measurements and make the final decision on the thickness of the head gasket I will use for this build. Parts are still coming in: various bolts for installing sensors (arrived today), trays for lifters (arrived today), valve covers (tomorrow), coolant crossover and various other parts. Will be reaching out to CircleD for thoughts on torque converter in the next day or two. Pretty excited about moving forward again.

Hopefully you're using oem trays.

 

[RAMurphy]

Hopefully you're using oem trays.

Really - is there any doubt from my perspective. Of course.

 

[RAMurphy]

Valve covers, intake manifold gaskets (not OEM - one area where I'm not a fan), and valve cover gaskets, grommets and bolts delivered today. Will get these covers painted and post some pictures.

 

[RAMurphy]

So, I sent emails out to Texas Speed, Vinci Performance and Black Bear Performance. Heard back from everyone but Black Bear Performance. In fact, Vinci Performance responded within 90 minutes. If I don't here back from them by tomorrow I will send a direct message from this site. I understand companies are busy but over 48 hours is a bit much. I love this group and the tune provided, but.....

 

[Tonyrodz]

So, I sent emails out to Texas Speed, Vinci Performance and Black Bear Performance. Heard back from everyone but Black Bear Performance. In fact, Vinci Performance responded within 90 minutes. If I don't here back from them by tomorrow I will send a direct message from this site. I understand companies are busy but over 48 hours is a bit much. I love this group and the tune provided, but.....

@Rocket Man had nothing but good things to say about Vinci performance. The owner is a really good guy.

 

[RAMurphy]

So, after final measurements this morning I decided to use the head gaskets that were delivered last week and recommended by Summit Racing. Should put me around 11:1 compression ratio. Now after a year plus delay I'm going to install these heads.

 

[RAMurphy]

Painted my valve covers - time to break out my curing station.

 

[RAMurphy]

So, reading through my last several threads I was not clear on the compressed thickness of the head gaskets I will be using. When I ordered my heads I was talking to a senior tech at Summit Racing and he said based on what I was building and the information I gave him that the 0.055 gaskets would be great for my build. Turns out I think his suggestion is perfect for me.

 

[RAMurphy]

Finally, progress again being made. Started installing the heads this morning. First I needed to clean and prepare the head surface:

Then I needed to install the tray and lifters:

After torquing the bolts to 108 inch pounds, I recleaned the head surface - got some oil on the block while installing the trays and lifters.

 

[RAMurphy]

Then I placed the head gasket on the block, ensuring the gasket was properly aligned - the word "front" towards the front and ensuring the rear water passages were oriented properly:

Placed the head on the block:

 

[RAMurphy]

I used ARP bolts:

Followed the prep instructions and the provided torque sequence. One side done:

And just before lunch, I finished the other side. Looks awesome: