Port n Polish? Shaved Heads?

[408wannabe]

Hi there, new to im new to this form not so much when it comes to wrenchin on my Mopar (1995 1500 with the 5.9)... 2 days ago I decided to change spark plugs out and had a serious issue by snapping my plug off with the threads and the rest of my plug left in the head. I choose to yank my motor and try to get that POS out of my head. Now being that I've got it tore down this far i thought maybe a gasket matched port job and he intake and intake side of my heads? exhaust porting maybe? Also considered having the heads shaved a bit to bump my compression up.. anyone tried this with any success? It does have a few bolt on's like a CAI, Mopar performance compuotor, and dual exhaust wit the x pipe. Also tossed the idea off freashing up my lifters, bottom end bearings and oil pump (go with a high volume or factory oil pump?) Thanks for your help

 

[Okiespaniel]

Welcome to RF!

Only 1 question...how many miles are on the engine?

 

[WhiteExpress]

I don't have any experience with shaved heads, but I would most definitely upgrade to a high flow oil pump. I don't think that had any negative side effects.

 

[Hotroder383]

Okeis got it right. How many miles? For me over 100k or so and I'd have to say rebuild then do the rest. I use to port and polish/gasket match and massage chevy all the time. Haven't done a dodge.. yet. Plan on doing mine when I rebuild hopefully next summer.

Ok My 2 cents, port work is great IF the rest of the engine is up to spec also, just porting with no other upgrades esp SCT or something like that, worthless. Even if it were a huge diff you wouldn't notice much of a change as the comp wouldn't allow the change. Save your money, buy an SCT and go from there. Or if your set on portin do it now then buy your SCT but if the motor has high miles your only stressin the rest of it with the mods you put on it now.

 

[408wannabe]

Well i did some diggin with the local machine shops on just a machined bare block, and they gave me the bs on how there long block is cheaper then building one and on an on. I don't wanna factory spec engine if i can all help it, some decent flat tops with a computor friendly cam is all. Now when i discussed heads they claimed the factory OEM origanal 5.9/5.2 heads had weak castings and is very comman to crack between the valves... hence why 3 of my 8 plugs where seized and 1 of the 3 snapped off. They claimed they pretty much scrap the OEM origanals and install NEW magnum heads with the revised castings... is that old news or something that they say to swing a sale? miles on my motor is 225,000 and its not going back in with those miles.. nor with them heads after what i was told. complete engine overhaul is what im look at down the barrell. High Volume oil pump is a must as long as there is now negitive side effects, thanks whiteexpress for the tip on that.

 

[talon6]

no sct fo a 95.

 

[WhiteExpress]

Very Common for the heads to crack eh? Strange...

I've had 14 Magnum powered vehicles, all with over 100K and not a single cracked head.

 

[Richie8twice]

I have worked in a machine shop since 2005 and yes the 5.2 5.9 & even the 3.9 heads are all prone to cracking under high heat if you have ever overheated you ride chances are you have cracked heads. I rebuilt 5.9 that ran perfectly fine when it came apart the heads where cracked between the exhuast seat and spark plug hole. Alot of the time the magnum motors run with cracked heads unlike other motors. As for more compression from a resurfaced head, your not gonna get much more. If you want more compression change the pistons.

 

[408wannabe]

Changing pistons an bumpin compression up some with a computor friendly cam if possible should work with Mopar Performance Computor (1995) i would think?? Id like some different None truck heads for this to some RT heads maybe?.. Or does my computor need to be recalibrated for this? Stock Sucks

 

[MADDOG]

If you decide to build a 408 stroker, you won't use a 5.2L engine anyway. Yes, you can massage and build a 5.2 into a performance motor but starting with a 5.9L is a much better, and more cost efficient, choice.

And when you are ready to put together a tune, contact B&G Performance. They've been writing OBD-I and OBD-II tunes on to stock PCM's for a long time.

John Mercedes at Southeast Performance is a wizard at selecting the right options for building a SB Mopar. South East R/T!, Custom Engine Specialists

 

[408wannabe]

I know i am not real good at getting back to posting any updates but with my motor on a engine stand I wanted (before my engine issues) to paint my truck so thats what ive been busy with and that a whole new topic. Now would it be a little better idea to just buy a crate engine... 380hp version for an example that includes a warrentee? Honestly tho im not having a hole lotta luck finding a suitable crate engine for a 1/2 4x4 ram haha. Maybe if i had little hot rod car that runs off a carb an not fuel inj. If anyone knows of a site or maybe even a shop that has something for me.... Yes im picky and yes im keeping this truck have no plans of turnin around for a dollar.... thanks

 

[iSlacker816]

no sct fo a 95.

Yea 95 is OBD1 not 2, might have to have the PCM programmed

 

[iSlacker816]

Check these guys out

360 Magnum - 390 HP : CHICAGO CONNECTION, Your High Performance Parts & Accessory Shop

 

[408wannabe]

Does anyone know anything about Southeast RT? John seems to know his stuff and as far as communicating with and engine builder IMO he is very willing to share his information unlike some of these other places i've talked to that just want to get paid and hang ya out to dry after everything is said and done. Just looking for some reviews on his 360/408 engines if anyone has picked one up from him? Guess he pretty much has me sold as far as where im buy my motor from just like i said im lookin for someone elses experiance with his motor/motors...