How to Surface Heads and Blocks with Surfacing Plate

[@yogibeer9319]

I’ve learned a lot of cool tricks from your videos. I’m getting ready to rebuild an old Intek V-Twin that has a bad head gasket

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

Glad to help out! I hear ya, those are good engines! Plenty of power! Thanks for Watching!!!

[@MattJonesYT]

You can use a black dry erase marker on the head surface to see where it's being sanded. Also can use spray adhesive on the other side of the sand paper to keep it flat and from moving. This is a lot like filing the frets on a guitar and getting them level.

[@RobertGSolomon]

That's really a professional finish on the head and block, I've got Chevy engine parts done at a machine shop many times and your surfaces look as good. See you don't always need to spend a fortune to get professional results. Goes to show what's possible with creative thinkers like your self Frank, thanks for the awesome tip!

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

Thanks, it does turn out good, this is the old old way of doing it, I've heard stories of people using slabs of slate and running like a straight 6 head back and forth for hours and achieving similar results, your welcome, Thanks for Watching!!!

[@jamesglavich1426]

A pretty heavy sheet glass or mirror will work, just make sure it is on a solid surface. I watched your video about the overheated Briggs Intek, seems to be a weak point on the cylinder head design. It looks like on the push rod side there is about a third of the circumference with no headbolts.

[@johnstrange6799]

That worked really well for quick and dirty. If you have a large enough work surface you can use 3M spray adhesive to hold down several sheets of paper including a super fine finish one.

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

I have a can of it and started to use it, probably will next time! I like that idea that way all the grits would be ready to go. I'd say start with a 80, then 220 then a 400 would finish it really nice. Thanks for Watching!!!

[@danharold3087]

Thanks for the video. From what I learned shaving the head on a flathead will further restrict breathing. To make it breath better you want to "shave the eyebrows" which is lowering the block surface between the valves and the cylinder.

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

Your welcome! I have heard this before too, they say flow is better than higher compression. getting the fuel/air in and back out faster. Thanks for Watching!!!

[@grotekleum]

Nice work Frank. Just goes to show that you can do a good job without spending a lot on expensive kit.

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

Thanks! It turned out pretty good! Thanks for Watching!!!

[@lewiemcneely9143]

That worked FINE! Almost like a chrome job! All I've ever done is use a putty knife ground flat on the end or maybe a file end BUT I see why Briggs uses the thick metal silver head gasket too. And I've never used a torque wrench on a head. Anti-seize or oil the bolts and using the sequence, I pull them TIGHT, just with my hands, usually using a box wrench so's not to strip or wring any. Never had one blow yet but might get a dozen today. Thanks, Pal!

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

It turned out better than i thought it would! I hear ya! As long as all the bolts are tightened the same it should be fine. I've done it before when i didn't have a torque wrench handy. I hear ya haha Thanks for Watching!!!

[@thasty100]

Spray the bottom of the head with black paint so you can see where sand paper is actually sanding on your head surface. . Also tape your sand paper down. You can also use a thick plate of glass.

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

Thats a good idea, I'll do that, i have used a sharpie before on flanges and stuff. Thanks for Watching!!!

[@quintalyurts8192]

Spray mount the paper to the plate and use oil. It gives far better control and accuracy. Also when doing a block it's easier to move the plate over the surface.

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

I will try to spray it next time, that should help alot. I did use oil after the dry test didnt work to good, i just sprayed wd40 on it every so often. I will try that on the next block! Thanks for Watching!!!

[@gmannfram8682]

What I do is spray some 3m spray adhesive on the back of the sandpaper that way you can use both hands. Seems to work fine and you can clean it up with some carb cleaner or gas to use a new piece? Just saying . Also you can spray the surface with black spray paint to see how much is coming off and to see how bad it is. Thanks for the videos good job.

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

Thats a good tip, i was afraid it would stick to good and not come off easily. Your welcome, Thanks for Watching!!!

[@steve-si3oz]

Just wondering how much downward pressure were you using? I've been using just the weight of the head or block. Looked like you were pushing down harder. Also, tape along the edges will hold the paper pretty well. Thanks for this!

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

I'd guess and say like 5 pounds of downward pressure, not a whole lot but it does need a little bit to work right. True, i will try that next time. Thanks for Watching!!!

[@rverro8478]

Informative trick. Thanks for sharing.

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

Thanks for Watching!!!

[@philliphall5198]

What size plate ?

[@mrcabriales]

Thank you. Good stuff.

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

Your welcome, Thanks for Watching!!!

[@freddiejohnson1013]

is that the same engine block you gonna use from your other video, what i meant was the other video you had a lawnmower that the crankcase was crack you say that you were gonna fix it

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

Yes it is, I bought it off ebay for cheap (35 bucks) and its in near mint condition. My next video will be how to / tips on honing cylinders and i use this block in it as well, just getting it ready. I have all the parts now, just need the time to do it, i'm working on a truck project thats taking alot of my time for longer videos. I don't think this block could be fixed, at least not enough to where i would trust it, if i had a way to weld aluminum myself i might try it, but i didn't want to put anymore money in the block, it threw a rod back in 2010 i think it was and busted the side of the block, that cost me almost as much as what i paid for the "new" block! Thanks for Watching!!!

[@kodiham7532]

Try taping the sandpaper down to stop the movement.

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

This last time i did it, i use 2 pairs of vise grips and it actually worked pretty good. Thanks for Watching!!!

[@robeftyearian8760]

Good job man

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

Thanks for Watching!!!

[@thegoodearth7]

Nice! Thanks!

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

Your welcome, Thanks for Watching!!!

[@alext9067]

Ask for cutoffs at the local granite place or get 3/8" plate glass too.

[@dkupy100]

Yes, I've used glass too.

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

Thats a good idea about asking for scrap pieces. I have heard of using glass before, in my garage it would of been broken before i had a chance to use it haha Thanks for Watching!!!

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

Thanks for Watching!!!

[@scootin123]

alex tworkowski I work @ du,mp yard where we take concrete brick and marble and granite scraps from kitchen counter installers . Holy mackeral you should see it comes in the granit and marble slabs . If you find a place take a pickup better yet a dump truck you will be a washed in granit slabs for a life time because if you are like me one piece won't be good enough

[@farmerwayne1404]

The make self stick paper...

[@fnaguitarplayer9]

I couldn't find any local so i had to try something haha thanks for watching!!!

[@farmerwayne1404]

@@fnaguitarplayer9 Thank you !