Do you think the original holes would need filled/welded in, then redrill the 90 degree holes?
This a helpful hint at best.
NO I would not worry about welding the holes and redrilling. I would get them drilled that the studs fit.
Yeah, after looking at Barrman's photos, that's what I was thinking.
I would ask for $$$ assistance from the seller. I doubt they will offer anything but the correct head. And that puts you back to square 1. Of course doing it 100% correct is the right way. BUT. You are working at it for a month. Do you want to start over? If so have at it. I would work with what you have and save the $$$ for something more important. With one side correct and new gaskets get a few bolt/studs in the other side and call it a day. Apply some sealer at all points. It will be fine.
Yes, its obviously going to need some shorter bolts to replace the longer one's. Barrman mentioned something about wedge washers, I've been looking online, most are only in large quantities, and only 1/8" on the thick end too. I think it will need something much thicker than that for the short bolts. I'll have to come up with something.
I guess I have to ask. Is the coolant manifold effected. Does it have angled bolt holes. I doubt it. Just asking.
I am assuming you are talking about the coolant crossover, going from one head to the other, which is what the upper radiator hose connects to?
Thankfully no, it fits perfectly with no issues. Already got it installed.
Make the decision. But looking at the pictures you done an excellent clean looking job. I support which ever way you want to go. Report back. You could be driving it today with one choice or a month or more with the other. Air Flow only. That is all that travels thru that plenum. Good Luck.
I think I'm going to try to mod the intake since it is only Air as you said.
Duly Noted. But I think he is concerned with cost and down time. We all know the obvious. I still ask where are the original heads? Would have been much less expensive to have them machined.
Nearly 3 months ago, when the head gasket blew and this job first started, we sent the original heads out to be machined, but after they fluxed them, we were told they were quote "...riddled with cracks..." So that is when we started looking at other options. We even thought about selling our deuce, and buying a new engine for this truck, as even most heads were $1000 minimum for the exact same crack prone
(as some SS members have said) GM rebuilt heads. There were some new "updated castings" heads, but they were $1000 for each head. So after the truck had been sitting for nearly 2 months, I found these new 6.5L heads for $600 for the pair, we thought this would at least get the truck repaired and back on the road for a long while.
But we are beyond that now. And no energy is spent thinking things out. That is the easy part. You are at a fork in the road. 1 way is 100% correct. The other way has a few obstacles but you still end up on the same road. I don't see any ill sided effects if you chose the rougher road. But that is me. I try and make things work and do the best job I can with what I have to work with. many times on other peoples shoe string budgets. I keep a lot of vehicles and gadgets up and running on a weekly basis. Could I go out and buy new yes. But many people are not ready or can afford the cost or down time. That was a suggestion only and I know it would still fly the same. If water and oil were involved I would abort and start the tear down immediately. Only air is involved and sealer fixes all air leaks in this situation. Would be nice if the head seller covered the repairs 100%. But extremely doubtful. Good luck either way.
Yes I fully agree, if it was anything else other than just the air intake, as much as it would pain me I would not continue, but would tear it back down.
Since it is just air... as I stated before I think I'm going to try to mod the intake. Its not the right way, but its looks to be the
"rightest" option that I have at this point.
Yeah, I doubt the seller is going to do anything unless I file a claim against him, as I purchased these through ebay and used paypal to pay, so I do have that option. As of this morning, they have not responded to either one of my emails, the last of which had the photos showing the orange stud bolts in the heads.
Thanks for all the help and input Everyone
Today is Sabbath so I'm won't be working on it today, but I'll be back at it tomorrow morning.
Will update as work progresses.
~Thanks