The 'E' Type Forum

Hi,
I have a 1961 - 3.8 engine. I have stripped the engine and had the block, crank, pistons and head all worked on by a company I have used for many years (40 odd years) but as time passes so does some of the workforce.
I am happy with the block work but not so happy with the work on the head.
I wanted the head thoroughly checked for the Valves so that the valves could be easily gapped up in the future.
Thus, the work requested was also for the Valves, Valve seats, Guides etc all to be checked for height, seat wear etc etc. All valve guides were renewed along with apparently 2 bent valves.
I am disappointed as I also wanted the head to be returned to me roughly all gapped up on the valves so that I could finesse the gaps more easily when run in.
I find the gaps on the valves all wrong with ground down valve stem tips, and thin shims under some buckets.

So, to move on I am seeking advice and recommendation for a reputable experienced Jaguar Head Engineering Company that does the work in house and can go over my cylinder head to check the valve seats, valve heights to top of stem and rectify.

I look forward to your recommendations ...

It is clear that you have valve seat recession . The only way that this can be dealt with is to install new valve seats . This carries with it a well-known risk, which is that the new seats can drop out with serious consequences . It strikes me that the work already done is about the only way to avoid that risk is to adopt the tactic which has been used, of grinding the tops of the valves . This is in fact what is recommended for Aston Martins ! It is really a question of balancing the risks of what has been done, which are that if the valve shortening is carried to excess you may drop a valve , with the risks of replacing the seats. I suppose also that what has been done also is likely to have reduced power a little because of valve seat pocketing , but whether this would ever be noticeable is questionable . I would think that Rob Beere might be a good place to start if you want it all rectified

IN my experience Chessman engineering are the recognised experts. They are used by most of the top engine rebuilders for their machining works. They can return your head to factory spec or whatever mods you require. I have visited their works and happy to see time served ex jaguar people still working. They use proper techniques for installing valve seats.
Give them a call and speak to Andy.

I have no association with the company just happy with what I have had done. They don't (or didn't) rebuild engines/heads they just do the machining.

Best regards
Phil D

I'd agree with Christopher. Rob Beere has just rebuilt the heads for my V12. First class job. Rob clearly knows exactly what to do and AFAIK its all done in house.
Cheers

Chat to CMES in Bracknell

Geoff

Thank you guys for the information.
I have a mission now for today.

Hi,
I had a very similar experience with my cylinder head on my 3.8. Would it be a machine shop just outside of Winchester. They also just topped the valves and all the shims were undersized. I was not happy at all.
Chris

Hi Chris,
No, not Winchester. It was Essex (RM7).
And, Ive just checked the inlet valves. One valve has no rock for the tappet shim, so that means the tappet shim pad is sitting on the Valve Spring retainer now and 3 inlet valves have zero gap between cam and bucket.

I may be a fuss pot but I do like things right.

Gfhug wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 22, 2018 9:08 am

Chat to CMES in Bracknell
Geoff

2nd that, did my engine very well & they are faily local to you

If you fancy a trip to soggy Devon, then I can recomend Tipton Garage at Tipton St John.
They are not specialist Jag. But work on all makes, as well as my head they have 2 other old jag engines and other makes in for work at the mo.
All their work is in house, flowbench, and tooling for pressing and cutting valve seats and skimming heads.
Busy as one would expect, about two month turn round time.
Rolling road too.

Give Brett Simms Motorsport a call, Brett is ex Richard Longman and does all of the engine work for a number of particularly expensive e type restoration specialists down this way.

He’s based in Newmilton


http://brettsimsmotorsport.co.uk/

Changing valve seats is not rocket science, it can't be as I've done it myself many times, and on aircooled alloy motorcycle heads to boot, that are more prone to getting hot-spots.

And I've never had one fall out.

If it were that difficult there wouldn't be a single car of any make on the Goodwood grids.

Chesman are about to change all twelve of them for me, and it's not stopping me sleeping.

Except for the cheque,anyway.

Well, after a chat with Chesmans today the head will be with them in the morning for a prognosis.
Let’s see what they think.