AJP Machining..

[Jhonno]

Just curious really.. Other than Powers, who is out there? Who does head porting on these wonderful lumps?

[gruffalo]

STR8SIX did a lot of tidying up on my heads, depends on whet you want doing?

[Jhonno]

gruffalo said:

STR8SIX did a lot of tidying up on my heads, depends on whet you want doing?

Do they not send their machining to Powers?

[Poopdog]

Surely any decent engine builder with a good reputation can do it?????

[Jhonno]

They probably could, but personally I would prefer to use someone who knows or is used to the AJP..

[ClassicChimaera]

Jhonno said:

Do they not send their machining to Powers?

You mention porting
That's not building an engine, having seen tens of these engines being built at Powers id say call and ask for Dom and he'll tell you if he or who can port your heads.
I think Doms confident enough in his product not to care anymore, he's happy to point you in the right direction if it's something he doesn't do or would rather not!
My 4.6 V8 has a good power curve and still,uses small inlet Trumpets and standard Valves, nothing special on the bottom end but has 350 ft lb torque which for a 4.6 is right up there, it makes a lot of induction roar,, it's in the porting and gas flowing

[Poopdog]

Jhonno said:

They probably could, but personally I would prefer to use someone who knows or is used to the AJP..

I would agree with u completely but if your no where near an AJP specialist then I'm sure most good engine builders can flow a head or two.
They are very simple engines especially compared to modern day cars

[ukkid35]

Don't know about porting, but having head the heads skimmed twice I have learnt a little.

First time it was done by a company in Woolwich. Unfortunately they removed far more than was necessary, which changes the CR, makes it awkward to fit the timing cover, and even more difficult to fit the fuel rail.

Second time they were done by Roland Alsop Engineering as recommended by Charlie at SRR (Vixpy1 on PH). They did a superb job, absolute bare minimum skimmed, but perfect results.

[Jhonno]

ClassicChimaera said:

Jhonno said:

Do they not send their machining to Powers?

You mention porting
That's not building an engine, having seen tens of these engines being built at Powers id say call and ask for Dom and he'll tell you if he or who can port your heads.
I think Doms confident enough in his product not to care anymore, he's happy to point you in the right direction if it's something he doesn't do or would rather not!
My 4.6 V8 has a good power curve and still,uses small inlet Trumpets and standard Valves, nothing special on the bottom end but has 350 ft lb torque which for a 4.6 is right up there, it makes a lot of induction roar,, it's in the porting and gas flowing

Well, I know Dom can do it, and there is a bit that can be done, but always good to speak to more than one good specialist..

Poopdog said:

Jhonno said:

They probably could, but personally I would prefer to use someone who knows or is used to the AJP..

I would agree with u completely but if your no where near an AJP specialist then I'm sure most good engine builders can flow a head or two.
They are very simple engines especially compared to modern day cars

Personally I would travel for a good AJP one..

ukkid35 said:

Don't know about porting, but having head the heads skimmed twice I have learnt a little.

First time it was done by a company in Woolwich. Unfortunately they removed far more than was necessary, which changes the CR, makes it awkward to fit the timing cover, and even more difficult to fit the fuel rail.

Second time they were done by Roland Alsop Engineering as recommended by Charlie at SRR (Vixpy1 on PH). They did a superb job, absolute bare minimum skimmed, but perfect results.

Pretty much my point!

[m4tti]

I may be wrong but I suspect the machinist in woolich is a Joe bloggs machine shop or head shop.

There's no magic to a flow bench and machining according to the output. The approach applied doesn't really change because it's a TVR.

Although a dieing breed the uk has plenty of competent top end facilities involved in motor sport that offer great service. I've used Julian Godfrey motorsport who have built a wide range of high output engines across several marques. The FFF head I have is CNCd by "ultimate performance". It's finding someone with the appropriate knowledge and skill level.

Many of the top end U.K. Motorsport machine shops have kit that's probably worth more than a little tvr specialist. You pays your money you make your choice.

[Jhonno]

m4tti said:

I may be wrong but I suspect the machinist in woolich is a Joe bloggs machine shop or head shop.

There's no magic to a flow bench and machining according to the output. The approach applied doesn't really change because it's a TVR.

Although a dieing breed the uk has plenty of competent top end facilities involved in motor sport that offer great service. I've used Julian Godfrey motorsport who have built a wide range of high output engines across several marques. The FFF head I have is CNCd by "ultimate performance". It's finding someone with the appropriate knowledge and skill level.

Many of the top end U.K. Motorsport machine shops have kit that's probably worth more than a little tvr specialist. You pays your money you make your choice.

Yep, I agree with your points.. Although in terms of porting, someone who hasn't played with an AJP head wouldn't necessarily know how much meat can be taken out?

Also, this might be a daft question.. When an AJP head wears the tolerances close up to a point when the shims are too thin and the head needs to be rebuilt? Do they put new valve seats in? Obviously just cutting them again is going to make it worse..

[Jhonno]

Oh and things like valve guides.. The standard ones wear, I believe there are better versions available. These sorts of things would all be covered by someone who knows these lumps.

(Or am I being daft?!)

Edited by Jhonno on Tuesday 31st January 11:48

[TwinKam]

Jhonno said:

Also, this might be a daft question.. When an AJP head wears the tolerances close up to a point when the shims are too thin and the head needs to be rebuilt? Do they put new valve seats in? Obviously just cutting them again is going to make it worse..

Valves can be shortened by grinding the end of the stem. Some OHC engines made do without shims altogether; eg the mighty Tadek Marek S6 found in DB4,5,6 etc, each valve was ground to suit.

[gruffalo]

Jhonno said:

gruffalo said:

STR8SIX did a lot of tidying up on my heads, depends on whet you want doing?

Do they not send their machining to Powers?

Not all, tidying up my heads was done by Jason in house.

Machining the block for bigger liners then it goes to power.

[Jhonno]

TwinKam said:

Jhonno said:

Also, this might be a daft question.. When an AJP head wears the tolerances close up to a point when the shims are too thin and the head needs to be rebuilt? Do they put new valve seats in? Obviously just cutting them again is going to make it worse..

Valves can be shortened by grinding the end of the stem. Some OHC engines made do without shims altogether; eg the mighty Tadek Marek S6 found in DB4,5,6 etc, each valve was ground to suit.

Yes, I did wonder if you could shorten the valves, then wondered if I was just being daft..

gruffalo said:

Jhonno said:

gruffalo said:

STR8SIX did a lot of tidying up on my heads, depends on whet you want doing?

Do they not send their machining to Powers?

Not all, tidying up my heads was done by Jason in house.

Machining the block for bigger liners then it goes to power.

Fair enough! So a bit of both..