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Bored&Stroked · 01-09-2016, 10:04 AM

Another option is to have the domes recut with a cutter that matches the piston crown profile . . . only problem is that few folks have them. I believe that H&H has one, but not 100% sure.

I created a 3D CAD model in SolidWorks with the correct dome shape - and a variable value to set the specific depth to match my requirements (per job). We then generated a toolpath for a 1/4" ball, then recut the chambers to match the pistons. My pistons were custom from Ross - have a little .020 pop-up above the deck.

The heads I used were new Navarro (from Barney) 59ABs - and their dome shapes didn't match the consistent radius of the Ross pistons . . . probably were modeled after some of the original Ford cast pistons.

I see no reason you can't do the work by hand, just take your time, measure a lot and do the dome work before you mill the heads . . . as you'll undoubtedly have a few 'pecker tracks' on the sealing surfaces from when the cutter got away from yah! LOL

You might consider cutting an old piston in half - to use as a sort of 'dome gauge' to check your work along the way.

01-09-2016, 10:04 AM	#10
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,723	Re: How much should I cut these heads? Another option is to have the domes recut with a cutter that matches the piston crown profile . . . only problem is that few folks have them. I believe that H&H has one, but not 100% sure. I created a 3D CAD model in SolidWorks with the correct dome shape - and a variable value to set the specific depth to match my requirements (per job). We then generated a toolpath for a 1/4" ball, then recut the chambers to match the pistons. My pistons were custom from Ross - have a little .020 pop-up above the deck. The heads I used were new Navarro (from Barney) 59ABs - and their dome shapes didn't match the consistent radius of the Ross pistons . . . probably were modeled after some of the original Ford cast pistons. I see no reason you can't do the work by hand, just take your time, measure a lot and do the dome work before you mill the heads . . . as you'll undoubtedly have a few 'pecker tracks' on the sealing surfaces from when the cutter got away from yah! LOL You might consider cutting an old piston in half - to use as a sort of 'dome gauge' to check your work along the way. Last edited by Bored&Stroked; 01-10-2016 at 09:08 AM.