Randy - how are the projects coming along?

[tdskip]

Any progress to report?

 

[TR4nut]

Minimal. Too much travel tied to work, too hot in the garage, too much time on this forum, too much ebay watching, and too much procrastination!

Actually, I've stayed away from body work on the 3A but I've been at least active on my TR4 some (timing chain/luggage rack / radio install). Small stuff but it keeps me away from the fridge.

And yesterday, I started to prep the 4A head I plan on putting on the 3A engine:

The head came from an abandoned 4A that had probably been sitting for 30 years. I think it looks ok but will have the machine shop check it over thoroughly and install hardened seat, new guides, and a minimal skim on the head. And the alumimum plug looks in sad shape so a retap & plug is in order there. The plugs I pulled off the head were new to me. Pink colored, with the brand 'Beru'.

Randy

 

[tdskip]

No kidding - I have have to force myself some times to stop researching, play shopping on eBay and just start doing. Any plans to port the head?

 

[DrEntropy]

That pink plug got a: "WUH?!? Lodge plug in a TRactor?" Golden Lodge were OE in old Alfas. Pink porcelain. But they were the deep reach snout ones.

I can't recall ever seeing a pink BERU. Frame 'em! :wink:

 

[TR4nut]

No porting, just general cleanup. Trying to keep the cost down, and the port work would add considerably. My guess right now is that this will be about a $400 job as is.

 

[Brosky]

Talk to the shop. Most will hot tank them for you for a very reasonable price and they come out with clean passages and looking great. Any cracks are well exposed at that time as well.

 

[TR4nut]

Talk to the shop. Most will hot tank them for you for a very reasonable price and they come out with clean passages and looking great. Any cracks are well exposed at that time as well.

Yeah, I think that is a very good idea on this one. I can see a lot of scale buildup at outlet as well as some of the passages on the head face. With the corroded plug, there isn't much worry at this point about destroying it either.

 

[tdskip]

No porting, just general cleanup. Trying to keep the cost down, and the port work would add considerably. My guess right now is that this will be about a $400 job as is.

Is it work using a Dremel to clean up the passages if not an outright formal port?

 

[TR4nut]

I've been told general polishing, etc won't be expensive - but removing metal and reshaping/messing with the combustion chambers, etc will cost money. My last response to Paul wasn't well written - I see scale in the water passages only. Intake and exhaust ports look pretty good and should clean up easily.