Need some tips on DIY Head porting.

So I just figured Id start this thread to ask a few questions. Im not wanting to do anything too wild, just help the engine out a little while I have it out of the car. Head is on the new block so not looking to take it off, just gonna stuff rags down into the ports to block debris from falling in, and Ill vacuum and clean it all out before i pull em out. Mainly I just want to port match both intake manifold and intake side of the head to the gasket, and do the same with the exhaust side and header. My question is should I strictly port to the gasket size and blend it up about an inch or so, since Im not gonna be doing the full ports, or should I just do the very entry of the ports....And exactly what dremel bits should I used, I have a carbide cutter, that ive been using for manifold work and I could use that, then the sandpaper drums to smooth it out, would that work? Also Ive heard to leave the intake side rougher, and to polish the exhaust side, which makes sense. What does everyone suggest, this is my first time. :)

I think if you stuff rags in, metal shavings are still going to fall past them once you start pulling them out. It sounds really risky to me... They may just get pushed out during the exhaust cycle, or you may get one metal shaving that scores the cylinder wall, or gets caught between the valve and the seat. For the risk, I don't think the gains are going to be worth it. You might be fine, but I sure wouldn't do it. I'd get a head gasket and unbolt the head, since the thing isn't even in the car. It's what, $40 and 20 minutes for some cheap insurance?

Eh I think I should be fine if I vacuum it out first before even pulling the rag...I have another idea of what to stuff over the rag though that will keep anything from going into the cylinder....ill have to take pics while doing it though. Right now $40 more bucks put me another $40 over budget. Remember the engine is on a stand and while pulling the rags out Ill have it tilted down as well as suction...so I should be fine.

If you already have the cam in it you could make sure the valves are all closed in the port you are working on at the time.

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Originally Posted by mushroom_toy

Eh I think I should be fine if I vacuum it out first before even pulling the rag...I have another idea of what to stuff over the rag though that will keep anything from going into the cylinder....ill have to take pics while doing it though. Right now $40 more bucks put me another $40 over budget. Remember the engine is on a stand and while pulling the rags out Ill have it tilted down as well as suction...so I should be fine.

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If your gona do that turn the engine upside down before you pull the rags out then vaccum it out REAL GOOD if you have your mind mad up that this is what your going to do.

^Yeah thats what Im thinking.

What is everyones thoughts on tools, can I use a cutting bit and just wittle away a little at a time, or do I have to use a burring bit.

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Originally Posted by mushroom_toy

^Yeah thats what Im thinking.

What is everyones thoughts on tools, can I use a cutting bit and just wittle away a little at a time, or do I have to use a burring bit.

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I would use a burring bit

I cant seem to find em anywhere around here for a dremel.

I used the 1/4" one that you could put in a regular 3/8 drill

My drill sucks...its rechargeable and the battery drains terribly fast, so im trying to find some burrs for the dremel.

Or just get you a cheap drill

Yeah IM afraid that if I go with a drill ill take too much off, I need to be down with the manifold, and I think using a dremel i can get closer....maybe i can find some burring bits.

You try Sears? I saw a pretty comprehensive dremel display somewhere not too long ago. Lowes maybe, and Harbor Freight has some imported clone stuff.

^Harbor freight would have it only prob is theres one about 40 miles from me. :( Ive looked at lowes, but Ill go back...and Ill prob check sears tomorrow.

a good way to get around the filings in the motor bit is use cheese cloth soaked in motorcycle airfilter oil coz its real tacky or cheese cloth covered in grease and poke it into the port.
ultimately you would take the head off , but since you dont want to, the cheesecloth bit works well.
the only prob with those is at worst a bit of grease/oil gets into the cylinder and it smokes for a few seconds on start up.
i wouldnt do more than remove the casting marks,matchport the manifolds and polish the exhaust ports.
if you want to go nuts, you really start to need to take the head off and get a flow bench.
its to easy to fuck up the bifurcation and get screwy flow and a rough running motor from uneven flowing ports

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Originally Posted by Hauntd ca3

a good way to get around the filings in the motor bit is use cheese cloth soaked in motorcycle airfilter oil coz its real tacky or cheese cloth covered in grease and poke it into the port.
ultimately you would take the head off , but since you dont want to, the cheesecloth bit works well.
the only prob with those is at worst a bit of grease/oil gets into the cylinder and it smokes for a few seconds on start up.
i wouldnt do more than remove the casting marks,matchport the manifolds and polish the exhaust ports.
if you want to go nuts, you really start to need to take the head off and get a flow bench.
its to easy to fuck up the bifurcation and get screwy flow and a rough running motor from uneven flowing ports

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Yeah I wasnt gonna go nuts, basicallyt just do the stuff you listed, and my super secret idea was to use tackcloth...lol go figure. :P

great minds eh

^Indeed. :)

u kno wut, id say just take the head off, i kno u dont wanna get a new head gasket, but at least u could do the valve springs with ease and not worry as much about the metal shavings.

just an idea.

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Originally Posted by Tdurr

u kno wut, id say just take the head off, i kno u dont wanna get a new head gasket, but at least u could do the valve springs with ease and not worry as much about the metal shavings.

just an idea.

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Nah dont wanna get a new hg.

I think you should be ok with stuffing the ports with oil soaked rags or whatever. You can get small cutting burrs for dremels that work ok on aluminum. The sanding drums are good for finishing too. I would use a dremel for better control over a drill. A flex attachment is even better. A drill is just too big and doesn't have enough speed.


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Originally Posted by cygnus x-1

I think you should be ok with stuffing the ports with oil soaked rags or whatever. You can get small cutting burrs for dremels that work ok on aluminum. The sanding drums are good for finishing too. I would use a dremel for better control over a drill. A flex attachment is even better. A drill is just too big and doesn't have enough speed.


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Thats my line of thinking. I have the carbide cutting bits, just not any burs. Im having trouble finding dremel ones, but I think were going to harbor freight tomorrow so I can get some cheapo ones.

without a flowbench just port match the cylinder head to maniflods and gaskets. Remove the casting marks and maybe smooth out the walls slightly. That doesn't mean polish, that means smooth out the bumps some.

I would stay away from trying to enlarge ports without knowing since that will hurt engine efficiancy so much when the flow is slowed down by opening ports.


get er done. You can do it. ;)

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Originally Posted by guaynabo89

without a flowbench just port match the cylinder head to maniflods and gaskets. Remove the casting marks and maybe smooth out the walls slightly. That doesn't mean polish, that means smooth out the bumps some.

I would stay away from trying to enlarge ports without knowing since that will hurt engine efficiancy so much when the flow is slowed down by opening ports.


get er done. You can do it. ;)

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This what I was going to say as well. I use a fordomn type dremel. It has a foot pedal for speed control asnd you can swap out the tip from 1/4, 1/8 sizes. I ordered all mine from online shops like dremel or ebay. Stay away from the cheaper ones they tend to clog with the aluminim or dont do anything. The sanding drums work slower so Id start with that until your used to the control and feel. Youll be amazed how much aluminum comes oput even just cleaning things up. Id wear proper gloves, wasted clothes and keep a vacuum present. These small bits are easy to spread, lose and they can float all around the garage. Good luck.

I'm surprised your having difficulty finding dremel bits. Most hardware stores carry them around here; Lowes, Home Depot, Menards, Ace, etc.. Harbor Freight will have some too but they may or may not be any good. You can get some amazing deals there but you can also get crap. You don't need carbide either, high speed steel will work too.

When you do this make sure to plug up any other areas that you don't want to get aluminum and abrasive dust, water pump, oil filter, etc.. I would put the valve cover on as well to protect those parts.


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i know this thread is old but i wanted to ask if you actually got around to doing it? i'd love to get mine ported sonce im swapping out the cam and the manifolds. i think it'd be a great addition to my bolt ons and will make them mesh better

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Originally Posted by 88lxi-shortram

i know this thread is old but i wanted to ask if you actually got around to doing it? i'd love to get mine ported sonce im swapping out the cam and the manifolds. i think it'd be a great addition to my bolt ons and will make them mesh better

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Nah I didnt I already had the head on the block and figured I didnt wanna risk getting any material in the motor, but I will port my next head that I build.