[HalfPackLX]

I will be pulling my engine as soon as I can borrow a cherry picker. I will be doing my first head porting. I am reading articles on how to do it.

My question is what tool do I use to port? A Dremel tool? Is it too fast and under powered?

Please help!
What worked for you or others you know?

Thanks

[evintho]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...119_full-1.jpg

Before beginning, you'll need to put together some basic porting tools, the most expensive of which is the die grinder. I've heard guys talk about using a dremel tool. Don't even think about it! You'll be grinding for a month! You can buy cheap 1/4" die grinders on Ebay that'll probably be good for one porting. I use a Makita 1/4" model# GE0600. It ain't cheap but it's top of the line. I've had it for years and it's ported several heads and mannys. If you're a car guy, you'll be suprised how many times you'll use it! There's some controversy on air vs. electric grinders. However, I've found my Makita electric to be perfect for the home porter.
Not mandatory but very helpful is a device to control the speed of your die grinder. This unit from Harbor Freight is cheap but works well. Here's the link..............Harbor Freight Router Speed Control
You'll need carbide bits. Get the ones with 6" shanks. I picked these up on Ebay for $27.
Pick up a bag of 80 grit cartridge rolls and mandrel from Joe Mondello..............Joe Mondello's website
A good scibe and a spray can of toolmakers ink and you're good to go!

[HalfPackLX]

Wow. thanks for all the great info and pointers! I'lll have to go shopping. There's a Harbor frieght only 2 miles from my hose so that's good.

Iam still reading up on porting. What exactly do you use the spray can of ink for? To see where you've modified the surface?

[evintho]

That article was actually from a write-up I did on porting a turbo exhaust manifold. Everything applies to head porting also. I sprayed the die onto the flanges of the manifold, layed a gasket over it and scribed the gasket port openings onto the flanges so I'd have a guide to port by. You can read the write-up here..............................
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/530871/50

[Stretchmobile]

Watch out for sprinklers! Don't grind through into a water jacket!