Cylencar Head Storage

[SANTA Ray]

Is there a wrong way to store a cylinder head? I have an extra that is in good shape and I don't want it to warp. I'm thinking I could put it in a cabinet laying flat and all should be good.

Any suggestions?

[colin1928]

For short term storage I grease the machined areas and lay them with block side up cover with oily cloth
long term in a sealed tub of oil to keep the water passages free from rust

[Mike V. Florida]

Tape it to a board. to keep anything from hitting the machined surface.

[Joe K]

Hang it from a nail driven into the inside wall of my barn?

Were I to own a Snyder High Compression head, I might make more elaborate effort to preserve flatness. But that is a head I would have more 'skin' in.

I think the last time I considered buying a head it was at Amherst, NH Antique Auto Flea market and the seller wanted $3.

But I don't need a head - I have one hanging on a nail.

But $3 is SUCH a good deal.

Joe K

[Kurt in NJ]

I have a NOS head ,it has been randomly stored in many positions, most lately standing on end leaning against a bench leg, it is still flat to within ,001

[kelley's restoration]

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I wouldn't worry too much about it
if it were a Gibson hollow body guitar I would worry about leaning it on an angle for 10 years, but its pretty stout piece of henry iron
tk

[V8COOPMAN]

Some of us guys with V8s bolt two heads together for long-term storage. Don't see why you couldn't do the same with two Model A heads if it worries you. DD

[Tom Wesenberg]

The main thing is to cover the openings so mice don't build a nest in it, and grease the machined surfaces to keep the rust away.

[H. L. Chauvin]

Hi Ray,

FWIW: Unlike wood:

1. Metal will not warp or bend on its own & stay bent until one places it under enough stress such that it exceeds its ability to resist stress.

2. A Model A head supported fore & aft is not subjected to enough stress to cause it to bend or warp by the forces of gravity caused by that of its own weight.

3. How are heads warped? By uninformed mechanics overstressing metal heads.

4. Example One: Heads may be warped by not tightening head bolts slowly in sequence, one at a time; i.e., install a head by first tightening only one (1) head bolt to 55 ft.-lbs thus mashing the head gasket in one small area; then go to bolt #2 & tighten all the way to 55 ft.=lbs., such that the head is "overstressed" with powerful bolt stress forces in all directions.

5. Example Two: One cranks up an engine until it is at operating temperature; and/or it got overheated. Rather than let it cool to ambient temperature, & rather than slowly loosening head bolts again evenly in sequence, loosen only one (1) head bolt, (all the way), one at a time to insure that a hot head is very much overstressed by the remaining tightened bolts.

6. Example Three: Buy high strength head bolts, & do not use a torque wrench to tighten same evenly; or better yet, tighten with a wrench with a 48" long handle & over-tighten single head bolts with "extreme" stress like that indicated in the above of Example One, until the head is overstressed in different directions.

7. Example Four: Works every time: Support a Model A head fore & aft. Place an eye bolt in the center bolt hole. Attach a heavy duty chain to the eye bolt. Wrap the chain around a 1940's steam locomotive & allow the weight of the heavy locomotive to pull on & stress the head & the chain slowly until the chain or center eye bolt brakes.

Hope this helps anyone seriously trying their very, very best to try to warp a new head; or a resurfaced head -- it just requires total reversed human mental concentration.

[Purdy Swoft]

H.L. mostly, makes a good point. I store a few used heads laying flat on a shelf, under a table in my shop. Used heads that have been removed from an engine will usually need to be shaved a bit to level, anyway.

[SANTA Ray]

Thanks Guys! As usual just over thinking the issue.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by kelley's restoration

I wouldn't worry too much about it
if it were a Gibson hollow body guitar I would worry about leaning it on an angle for 10 years, but its pretty stout piece of henry iron
tk

Very true and good advice.