Porting Aluminum Heads?

[BBShark]

Anyone know what tools are used to port aluminum heads? I tried this a while back with a die grinder and carbide burrs and the cutters just loaded up.

 

[Twin_Turbo]

Carbide burrs are the tools to use, however you have to lube them so they don't load up. I use ATF for that and sometimws kerosene (but that stinks like crazy)

The sanding rolls just take too long.

 

[big_G]

Some old machinist told me to rub the carbide bit on a bar of soap every so often. It works.

 

[Stroker-427]

Guys..... the problem isn't which tool to use........ but where to use it!!!!!

So often is very easy to make a worst flowing port!
The first thing to do is "pocket porting" reaching a diameter of nearly 75-80% of the valve OD.
Second move is to smoothen the valveguide boss area......

Never, say never remove material from the lower tight radius in the port...... the net result will be a higher port volume (lower air speed...) with allmost no flow improovment!

Following thi directions (from David Wizard) i did the job in my old heads:





the tools (Standard Abrasive)



some parts......

 

[BRUTAL64]

Some old machinist told me to rub the carbide bit on a bar of soap every so often. It works.

I spray the port with WD-40. Works good for me.

 

[White76]

Anyone know what tools are used to port aluminum heads? I tried this a while back with a die grinder and carbide burrs and the cutters just loaded up.

They make carbide burrs especially for aluminum. They have only ~8 cutting edges with larger flutes so they don't load up quickly, and like the others have said use oil too.

 

[69427]

I spray the port with WD-40. Works good for me.

I've had pretty good luck with WD-40, also. My main reason for using it, rather than other oils, is that WD is usually what I've got sitting on the shelf.

 

[BBShark]

They make carbide burrs especially for aluminum. They have only ~8 cutting edges with larger flutes so they don't load up quickly, and like the others have said use oil too.

Finally found a picture of what is described as a burr for non-ferrous materials and it is exactly as you describe (w/ fewer flutes).

http://www.carbidebur.com/automotive.html

 

[BRUTAL64]

Finally found a picture of what is described as a burr for non-ferrous materials and it is exactly as you describe (w/ fewer flutes).

http://www.carbidebur.com/automotive.html

Yep, that's them.
I've been porting heads since 78. I've done dozens of cast iron heads and a few Alum. I prefere porting Cast Iron. But, things change. Alum is the future.:suspicious: