2008 Stage 3 ROUSH - Rebirth...

[AutoXRacer]

These heads are brand new. I ordered them from Steve at Tasca back in January. Finally opened them up this weekend to swap out the springs...then saw the cap numbering fiasco on the LH head and the booger on the RH head. sigh

I will call FRPP tomorrow and ask them WTF!!?? lol

Damn and I swapped all the springs in the LH head (the one with the caps numbered all retarded). sigh
Easy job, but the retainer locks are tedious.

 

[BruceH]

I'm certain frpp will make it right. When I had a Whipple there was an issue that Whipple didn't want to take care of. I sent an email to frpp with pictures and an accurate documentation of the issue and Art Whipple called me within a few hours. He wasn't very happy at first but in the end they took care of the issue. Based on that experience I'd guess that they will get ahold of the head vendor right away.

I really wish I could remember the email address. Pictures speak much louder than words. If they see this it should get them going right away. If they don't offer a call tag ask for one.

You would probably do well dealing with Steve too. He's helped me out a few times when things didn't go right. He was good enough to send replacements out just as soon as the defective part had been picked up.

Edit: Send some pics to this guy along with your contact information including phone number. Provided he is still there you will get a callback or email. [email protected]

 

[AutoXRacer]

Thanks Bruce!!

My only two concerns are that I bought these in Jan and only now opening the boxes. Although it does say not to open the box until ready to use. lol

Anyway, you think FRPP would not accept the LH one since I swap over the springs and goobered it up with assembly lube? What worries me about the LH which I did not notice yesterday is that the caps don't seem to match their location.

 

[one eyed willy]

What's strange about the caps is that the one labeled "3" is actually in the correct spot for 1, looks like they were just mislabeled somehow? You can get the bores checked to make sure they are the same roundness?

 

[BruceH]

Thanks Bruce!!

My only two concerns are that I bought these in Jan and only now opening the boxes. Although it does say not to open the box until ready to use. lol

Anyway, you think FRPP would not accept the LH one since I swap over the springs and goobered it up with assembly lube? What worries me about the LH which I did not notice yesterday is that the caps don't seem to match their location.

More than likely the caps were still machined in position. Are there any ridges that you can feel at the parting lines where the cap mates to the head?

If it's smooth and the first cap with the retainer is still in position then it's not really going to matter. I'd mark the real numbers on them with a sharpie.

I don't think the bondo hole is a big deal either but I wouldn't pay full price for a set of heads with those issues. With that in mind the right thing for frpp to do is either swap heads out or discount the functional (probably) but rejectable heads. IMO something like that should be sold for less and the issues disclosed prior to the sale. I wouldn't demand anything unless they didn't offer to make it right.

One last question. Did they ship from FRPP in Linovia or did they ship from Tasca?

 

[AutoXRacer]

More than likely the caps were still machined in position. Are there any ridges that you can feel at the parting lines where the cap mates to the head?

One last question. Did they ship from FRPP in Linovia or did they ship from Tasca?

As you can see in these pictures, the caps seem like they are installed in the wrong place. See the offset edge?

They all have that forward offset edge...as it the wrong cap was installed.

They shipped from FRPP (Livonia) ordered from/sold to Tasca (so drop shipped to me).

 

[AutoXRacer]

So this weekend, I planned to get my heads ready for the shortblock coming soon.

I ordered these back in Jan; been sitting on a shelf since then. Interesting, open the box and find another smaller box inside. LOL

Starting with the left hand side.

So you need OTC 4842 tool to R&R the valves, springs, retainers, etc on the bench. If you are doing this on installed heads, then you need the Freedom Racing tool; I'll post pictures of that one later when I install the rockers.

Make sure to use high quality gloves as you don't want the oils from your skin to get in contact with the internal parts and to protect yourself from all the petroleum products.

Some interesting shots of the CNC work; drool!! The look 1000X better than my earlier JDM build FRPP stock heads.

In comparison, here are my original build heads; these are the FRPP standard production heads as used on the production Mustangs.

Nasty huh... If you ever buy replacement heads...just get the CNC and ported ones. Do not waste your time with stock heads.

 

[AutoXRacer]

For my head build, I used PAC 3V springs, 1500 Nitride series. I did not reuse my first build head springs because they are speced for less than .550 lift cam. These are speced for up to .575 lift.

As you can see the PAC 3V springs are shorter than the stock springs on the right.

Stock spring

PAC 3V 1500 series

Exhaust springs swapped!!

That red stuff is Red Line assembly lube. And also Comp Cams valve train spray for areas I can't reach with my fat fingers. lol

This is when I also noticed the cam journal caps are incorrectly numbered and installed.

The front cap closest to the where would be phaser is numbered 3, followed by 4; should be 1 and 2.

4 and 5, should be 2 and 3.

5 and 1; should be 3 and 4.

1 and 2; should be 4 and 5.

Also see how the caps don't seem to match their location?

I noticed this issue a little too late as I just finished the full spring swap.

Very easy to do, but tedious!! Due to the restricted access to the retainer locks.

 

[AutoXRacer]

PAC 3V 1500 series springs in FRPP CNC/Ported heads.

So this morning I was going to start on the RH head...

Then I saw this... sigh

So the build is now on hold... !#$%^&*(


PAC 3V 1500 series springs in FRPP CNC/Ported heads.

 

[Scott]

FYI the heads in my build were etched on the sides in addition to the tops. Part numbers M-6049-463VP3 and M-6050-463VP3. Not the best pictures but you can see what I mean.

LH



RH

 

[BruceH]

So are Geralds. From what I saw in his pictures the electric pencil numbers all match.

FYI the heads in my build were etched on the sides in addition to the tops. Part numbers M-6049-463VP3 and M-6050-463VP3. Not the best pictures but you can see what I mean.

LH



RH

 

[AutoXRacer]

Great observation Scott...seems like my LH side head is also marked on the side of the caps and head:

Looking at Scott's pictures above, it seems like the cam journal caps do not fit nice and flush on the sides. I can see offset edges on Scotts caps also. Man, are these budget heads or what!!?? The quality or finish (detail) is poor.


OK, so one good head...one more to go.

Thanks guys, you're awesome!!

 

[BruceH]

I'm looking through pics I have of heads. They all have a slight mismatch. I would imagine that having an overhang is better than not enough material. The important thing is that they are all in alignment. If you can't feel an edge inside where they mate up you should be ok.



Stock heads here:

 

[AutoXRacer]

Have you noticed a mismatch in cap scribe marks?

Scott made me notice that there are two sets of scribe marks, top and side ones.
I guess as long as one set matches we are good? lol

 

[JimIII@JDM]

Have you noticed a mismatch in cap scribe marks?

Scott made me notice that there are two sets of scribe marks, top and side ones.
I guess as long as one set matches we are good? lol

My engine builder has seen many sets of these exact heads come through our shop and most of them are like yours. As long as you have the scribe marks matching up your fine, they are machined like that so do not attempt to change them around.

Also your pistons are most definitely using .150" thick tool steel wrist pins, its how we have always ordered our pistons from Manley. We support 1000+ HP with them and rate them for that.

 

[AutoXRacer]

Awesome!!!

Surprisingly, FRPP wants my heads!! Even the one I swapped out the springs on.
They seemed pissed about the cap marks on the LH and the blemish/defect on the RH head.

So I now have to remove my PAC springs and replace the stock ones while cleaning up all the assembly lube off the head. sigh

I should quick messing with real cars and just stick to RC cars... lol

 

[BruceH]

Awesome!!!

Surprisingly, FRPP wants my heads!! Even the one I swapped out the springs on.
They seemed pissed about the cap marks on the LH and the blemish/defect on the RH head.

So I now have to remove my PAC springs and replace the stock ones while cleaning up all the assembly lube off the head. sigh

I should quick messing with real cars and just stick to RC cars... lol

IMO FRPP demands quality from any vendors. They will take care of you. It's one reason I like FRPP parts, the quality is usually very good and if there is a problem they fix it.

 

[tigerhonaker]

IMO FRPP demands quality from any vendors. They will take care of you. It's one reason I like FRPP parts, the quality is usually very good and if there is a problem they fix it.

That is why they are on mine.


Terry

 

[crownaviation]

Have you noticed a mismatch in cap scribe marks?

Scott made me notice that there are two sets of scribe marks, top and side ones.
I guess as long as one set matches we are good? lol

Should be..

You will need to determine if the blemish is worth sending them back and waiting for a new set.. plus changing springs etc all over again. As long as the scribe marks are the same they should be fine. I would torque them to spec, in sequence and feel the out.

My bet is that they are fine some jackass just did not pay attention that monday morning when they honed them with the caps in the wrong spot.

Your money and your time tho... I get pissed when I do not get my moneys worth so know your frustration all too well

 

[one eyed willy]

but how does the number "3" end up on the front cap? you cant interchange that cap with any other, that's strange....