New SIM head pics. Use or send back?

[boost97gst]

Here are a few pics. 1st shows when i opened the box and found all the media.
Following a cleaning i found several places that dont pass the "fingernail test", or whatever you'd like to call it. I.e. my fingernail catches on several divots. Using cometic MLS just like my last build.

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[1990dsmkid]

What kind of hg do you plan on running? If it was me Id be mad and get ahold of them and see why its like that. Id try and get a little money back to pay for getting it cleaned and maybe resurfaced at local shop. But if using a composite hg then Id just get it cleaned really well and run it with composite.

 

[lasthope05]

Those just look like casting flaws to me. Nothing to worry about, even with a mls. The biggest thing for me is removing the galley plugs and wash everything out real good and deburring those combustion chambers. Those edges look sharp/jagged. That is going to create a hotspot and cause detonation.

 

[evo1rice]

Guaranteed they didn't mean to send it back with so much media in there. Was this your core? If your core was trash to start with there's only so much they can shave off. Looks close to service limit .

 

[lasthope05]

From the looks of the second to last picture, it actually looks like it has quite a bit of meat left on it.

 

[boost97gst]

Yea, it was my core. The divot was there before. I THINK, cant be sure. The original problem was the intake valve #2 was not sealing. As stated above pics i have a MLS cometic i plan to use. Had good luck with it at 30+ psi so figured id go with another.

The media seemed to be on the cardboard that they used to press up against the deck for shipping. It obviously was left on the deck. Other than that there was no media in any galleys or holes anywhere else.

 

[94allwheeldsm]

Have you tried to contact Allen? He's a good guy. I'm sure they didn't mean to send it that way either. When I got my motor from them in was spotless.

 

[92AWDHX40]

I would call Allen he's really good and great easy phone call.

 

[bastarddsm]

Yeah send that back.

 

[boost97gst]

Yes, they are VERY nice and helpful. Im not necessarily passing judgement but more asking is it safe to run this head. Allen offered to pay shipping both ways to clean it. I have since found the flaws on the deck after they were closed so that will be another conversation tomorrow morning. The big thing here is, im so close to really kickin in gear on my build. Even took vaca time this week to knock out the longblock and get the awd in to start ripping into it. This will just throw me off for awhile. I know it had a divot in the head before and looking at it again its not that bad, but im no machinist. I do know that any hotspot is bad.
There is a small spot where the valve seats, right above it, that has an edge to it. This is where the local machinist who vac tested it said it was leaking and had burned a bit. This could bite me in the ass if i dont either smooth it out myself or send it back.

 

[gofer]

...when i opened the box and found all the media.

Unfortunately, that's been a problem in the past too. I recommend leaving a review of your experience and hopefully they make things right...

http://www.dsmtuners.com/vendors/strictly-import-motorsports.72/

 

[crimsondragon]

Send it back and have them fix that valve sealing issue. Personally, I say have them redo the whole thing. The media is an automatic fail and needs a full clean again. Good luck. It's more than what they offered me when they butchered my head.

 

[TexasTurbo]

That is VERY unacceptable to send a head full of media like that. If you didn't know better you'd install that on a (hopefully not) built block and then torch the whole setup. If I owned that shop I'd fire the person that did that because they're a liability and will cost the company money making mistakes like that.

The divots you're feeling with your fingernail were there before the surface was done on the head. I wouldn't have it surfaced twice because you're removing service life from the head. There is NO reason to surface it again unless there's a problem with the straightness of the current surface. Sometimes it's ridiculous what people suggest to eachother here. You want 2 more refreshes out of this head or for this one to be the last before it needs to be scrapped completely?

 

[Kapok6]

Send it back. That's unacceptable.

 

[boost97gst]

My bad, meant exh valve of #2 cylinder. Here's a closer look. Best i could do with my GS4

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[DOUBLEPOST=1409070662][/DOUBLEPOST]Almost positive its going back. Just sent back the BC gears which they are trading me for AEM trutimes(fair deal). I did have to pay almost 18 in shipping for that though. One downside.
Allen told me yesterday i wouldnt pay a dime for the head repairs. They have been extremely nice and helpful, but....this is a serious delay which sucks. better to no half-ass it and try to sand that spot down myself. I'm not a machinist and dont feel comfortable gambling with a dremel. One slip and it could trash something else!

 

[turbotalon1g]

Thanks for posting this.
Sounds like they are working with you which is good.

 

[boost97gst]

Got my AEM cam gears today(now THESE are for a 4g63 ). Austin called to say they received the head and immediately saw the major flaws. in the machining. Again, very very friendly folks up there and hope to have good updates. He is saying the head will be shipped next thursday. Which is really fast. Fingers crossed, boys.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Sounds great glad hear the good news.

 

[boost97gst]

Small update: Austin called and they have completed the head and shipped today. Along with a check for my shipping costs. And, wait for it, A FREE T SHIRT!!! Woohoo! jk, thats cool though and they have been GREAT with customer service. Still, i want to see that head, torque it down, and get the leakdown tester on it before i start showering them with praise. I will do a full review once everything is in and its been tested.
I did not ask if they used my core or another. That has me a little bit worried but i think after they saw what their machinist did the first time they probably tested the living Uckf out of this head and checked every single mm. They really are trying to make things right

 

[92AWDHX40]

Good to hear that man, they do great work down there and have done some stuff for me. Sick shop too.

 

[94allwheeldsm]

These guys aren't DSM graveyard. I agree that it isn't acceptable but mistakes do happen. You know they care when they make those mistakes right!

 

[pj91gsx]

1 grain sand media can lock up your engine, that would be my biggest concern. If It were me, i would fix the issues myself by reseating the valve, removing all the plugs, take the whole head apart and flushing everything then reassemble. I am a more do it yourself kind of guy though and my next biggest concern is always time frame.

 

[boost97gst]

1 grain sand media can lock up your engine, that would be my biggest concern. If It were me, i would fix the issues myself by reseating the valve, removing all the plugs, take the whole head apart and flushing everything then reassemble. I am a more do it yourself kind of guy though and my next biggest concern is always time frame.

Time wasnt and isnt an issue. This project is a long one so im in no rush. But if you look through the pics i couldnt "clean" my way out of this. There is a chip on the head right where the valve is. I'm sure a more skilled person could have fixed it but when you drop 2k with a company you'd like to not have to do extra work.
The media was actually easy to clean out but thats when i found the damage and decided to send it back.
AGAIN, they have been more than friendly and helpful and, although my review will include everything, I hope to have a strong and overall positive experience to report with SIM.

 

[Kapok6]

Glad to hear they are making it right. Mistakes happen. What is important to me, is how a company rectifies and issue when it presents itself.

 

[boost97gst]

Small update. Head arrived today along with a check for my return shipping costs. Just got home and opened it up and was pleased. It is CLEAN this time and the notch that was near the valve is gone or smoothed out. Torque down and leakdown this weekend hopefully. Busy as all hell but i think i can make time for a simple task like that. got my fresh arp l19s and cometic ready to go. Block and rotating assembly all inspected cleaned and measured and its ready to rock so the leakdown results should be very good.

Overall their customer service is 2nd to none. Alan and Austin are really great guys that truly want everything to be right. I have high hopes that shes gonna torque down and everything should be nice n tight, no leaks no problems.

Pics of the head tomorrow so i can show everyone the difference.