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Aluminum Head?! (Robert Maw)
https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=64918		 Page 5 of 6
Author:  Greg Ondayko [ Fri Jul 03, 2020 8:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Aluminum Head?! (Robert Maw)
Metal can be 3d printed exone does it about 3 miles from my house, but I am not sure if it is robust enough for cyl head work.

It can be robust enough for humvee suspension parts.

They also 3d print sand cores for castings.

I have been on a tour of their facilities. Pretty
Impressive stuff.


Greg
Greg
Author:  nitro_rat [ Fri Jul 03, 2020 11:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Aluminum Head?! (Robert Maw)
Quote:
They also 3d print sand cores for castings.
This. If there's ever an aftermarket aluminum head for a /6 this is the way. My dad is an engineer and is interested in this project. He wants me to band saw a head for him to examine. I will probably do it next year. He's due to retire soon so it will be a good project for him in his spare time...
Author:  CNC-Dude [ Fri Jul 03, 2020 2:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Aluminum Head?! (Robert Maw)
I've got a slant head modeled up in a hemi configuration. If I'm going to whittle one out of a billet, why waste time making it like an OEM head.
Author:  Tim Keith [ Fri Jul 03, 2020 2:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Aluminum Head?! (Robert Maw)
Quote:
Quote:
So why waste time with aluminum? Isn't there some sort of "plastic" that is as strong and heat resitent and can be used with a 3D printer?
Not on his planet, yet.
I'm modifying the periodic table of the elements and adding a new one
Author:  Tim Keith [ Fri Jul 03, 2020 2:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Aluminum Head?! (Robert Maw)
Quote:
I've got a slant head modeled up in a hemi configuration. If I'm going to whittle one out of a billet, why waste time making it like an OEM head.
Definitely, I don't want a lighter OEM head. I would like an OEM-ish head, but I'd love to see what you have!
Author:  jcc [ Fri Jul 03, 2020 2:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Aluminum Head?! (Robert Maw)
And that sums up what dilutes, IMO fatally, the already limited demand for an aftermarket Alum Slant six head. I believe in compromise, but with this hemi consideration, not sure how to achieve that, and then there is the cost differences to consider.

My attorney used to say, when everybody is equally dissatisfied, its probably a fair deal.
Author:  nitro_rat [ Fri Jul 03, 2020 2:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Aluminum Head?! (Robert Maw)
Yes, that is part of the problem. Everyone has a different idea of what they want. I'm not asking for opinions on that. If I am going to put any effort into producing an aluminum slant head it would have to both fit my needs and appeal to the broadest market possible. For me that means it has to be compatible with stock block, intake/exhaust, valve cover, etc. It should be possible to bolt on to a stock engine with stock cam in as cast configuration.

There is a lot of room for improvement in the casting quality, the ridge at the base of the ports for the water jacket, and combustion chamber design. Maybe something like a Magnum chamber that would provide enough volume to have a good compression ratio with flat tops/zero deck. Basically something a guy could toss on a stock engine to replace a head that needed machine work. Also something a guy building a zero deck motor could bolt on and have decent compression, an improved quench chamber, and better flowing ports than possible with a stock head.

The price would have to be right too. What would you pay for a bolt on complete assembled head?
Author:  ProCycle [ Fri Jul 03, 2020 3:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Aluminum Head?! (Robert Maw)
Quote:
...Basically something a guy could toss on a stock engine to replace a head that needed machine work. Also something a guy building a zero deck motor could bolt on and have decent compression...
I can't see how the same head could work for both.
Author:  Tim Keith [ Fri Jul 03, 2020 4:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Aluminum Head?! (Robert Maw)
The head I want is similar to the OEM head but has raised intake ports and would require a homemade intake manifold. The valve cover would be the same but the gasket flange might be higher because there should be coolant around the raised ports. It would have an "improved" combustion chamber - details of which I don't know. Its not intended make 2JZ power - I doubt that the block could handle that anyway, a problem with the OHC and hemi heads that can turn high RPMs which the block can't handle. Its a hypothetical "what if" Chrysler had redesigned the head for EFI in 1987 and didn't want to spend a huge amount on a workhorse motor. It would still look like a slant six - the one inside my brain does! If you can't see inside of my brain, look at the recent photo of the slant six on the Facebook forum.
Author:  GregCon [ Fri Jul 03, 2020 7:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Aluminum Head?! (Robert Maw)
The market for an aluminum head is pretty much the same as with all the V8's....a lighter head than stock, with improved ports and (maybe) chambers. That's 80% of the market, and where the money is (if there is any money to be had...) It would need to use stock rockers and more or less stock intake/exhaust.

The other stiff is valid, but too small in number to be viable.
Author:  drgonzo [ Fri Jul 03, 2020 8:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Aluminum Head?! (Robert Maw)
I don't know how the Vintage Inlines folks did it but they have an aluminum head and intake for the Ford small six which seems a less popular performance platform than the slant six. Go figure. The Ford head, with intake sells for $2250.00.
https://www.vintageinlines.com/product- ... ad-package
Author:  Tim Keith [ Fri Jul 03, 2020 11:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Aluminum Head?! (Robert Maw)
Quote:
I don't know how the Vintage Inlines folks did it but they have an aluminum head and intake for the Ford small six which seems a less popular performance platform than the slant six. Go figure. The Ford head, with intake sells for $2250.00.
https://www.vintageinlines.com/product- ... ad-package
That hasn't been available for a long time. The Ford people have options of decent OEM heads from Australia, and of course the Barra inline six, the last iteration of the Falcon six.
Author:  Badvert65 [ Sat Jul 04, 2020 6:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Aluminum Head?! (Robert Maw)
No longer available, but at $2250 each:
Quote:
At this time, the waiting list for cylinder heads has grown to the point we will no longer add to it. We are working with the foundry to finalize when the next batch will be ready.
From that website.
Author:  Tim Keith [ Sun Jul 05, 2020 3:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Aluminum Head?! (Robert Maw)
Quote:
No longer available, but at $2250 each:
Quote:
At this time, the waiting list for cylinder heads has grown to the point we will no longer add to it. We are working with the foundry to finalize when the next batch will be ready.
From that website.
I think that alloy head is a copy of an iron head that was produced in Australia. There are better performing cross flow heads from Australia for the small Ford six, OHC variants. The Barra, last produced in 2016 is truly special. You get some ideas of how Chrysler might have progressed the slant six if inline sixes had been as popular in the U.S.
Author:  slantzilla [ Sun Jul 05, 2020 5:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Aluminum Head?! (Robert Maw)
The reality is, for an aluminum Slant head to ever happen someone with a lot of cash to risk will have to just build it. It has been proven many times already you can't get it done by committee.

This guy is on the right track. He's doing what he wants. I have to guess he either owns or works for a big machining company and this is a side job.
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