drilling vortec heads

[NecroWolf]

i'm setting up to drill the bolt pattern in my vortec heads an noticed atleast two holes are going straight into a water jacket. whats the general plan for handling this? sealer on the bolts? shorter bolts? or is it a non issue? i just want to make sure before i drill that i'm not trashing a set of heads

 

[sy445]

Re: drilling vortec heads

I drilled and tapped the holes and then threaded a bolt in with light oil on it. I then filled those corners with epoxy. when it dried i backed the bolts out and all set

 

[MikeRenz]

Re: drilling vortec heads

some of the unused holes go into water jackets also and need to be plugged.

 

[NecroWolf]

Re: drilling vortec heads

that clears it up some. so if some of the oem bolts go into water then its not really essential to plug the two new ones that go into water?

 

[It's just a six]

Re: drilling vortec heads

When you drill or tap in cast iron,you do not use any lube.

 

[NecroWolf]

Re: drilling vortec heads

okie dokie.

 

[Don W.]

Re: drilling vortec heads

When you drill or tap in cast iron,you do not use any lube.

Drilling I think you'r correct. For tapping would Rapid Tap work?

 

[0260IN3]

Re: drilling vortec heads

just put sealer on the bolts. many engines have intake bolts that go into water. very normal.

 

[jwaller]

Re: drilling vortec heads

all the stock intake bolts either go into water or oil. RTV them and your golden.

 

[ghettosled]

Re: drilling vortec heads

also i strongly recommend using a 5/16" end mill when doing the 4 outer holes. Drill bits will flex when grabbing part metal and part air. You will end up with an oblong bolt hole.

 

[NecroWolf]

Re: drilling vortec heads

thanks for the good info.which type of end mill bit works best? 2, 3 or 4 flute?

 

[SY2932]

Re: drilling vortec heads

thanks for the good info.which type of end mill bit works best? 2, 3 or 4 flute?

A three flute would be best since it has the same amount of space for chips as a two fluted end mill but a larger cross sectional area making it more rigid (less likely to deflect). Four flute and above end mills provide a better surface finish and allow faster feed rates but, have less room for chips.

 

[ghettosled]

Re: drilling vortec heads

3 or 4 flute. Think the one i use is a 3 flute b/c it is a bit more universal for different material applications.

 

[SY2932]

Re: drilling vortec heads

3 or 4 flute. Think the one i use is a 3 flute b/c it is a bit more universal for different material applications.

Correct, two flute is primarily used for cutting non-ferrous materials whereas a three flute plus end mill can be used for both non-ferrous and ferrous materials.

 

[NecroWolf]

Re: drilling vortec heads

now all i need to do is track down a bit.

 

[JSM]

Re: drilling vortec heads

msc direct is a good source and quick.

do you have a mill or are you drilling this by hand? Drill press?

 

[NecroWolf]

Re: drilling vortec heads

i wish i had a mill, i'm doing this by hand and with my drill press as possible.

 

[JSM]

Re: drilling vortec heads

Yes possible. Should have told me I would have sent you a jig to borrow to do the work.

If you can build something to hold the head at the proper angle you will be much better off. Then clamp it to the table so it won't slide around. End mills don't center themself so things must be bolted down. Put an end mill in a hand drill and try to drill a hole and you will become a pinstriper first. Might even be able to write your name.

Don't though and I repeat use a table saw. Bad things happen.

 

[NecroWolf]

Re: drilling vortec heads

Yes possible. Should have told me I would have sent you a jig to borrow to do the work.

If you can build something to hold the head at the proper angle you will be much better off. Then clamp it to the table so it won't slide around. End mills don't center themself so things must be bolted down. Put an end mill in a hand drill and try to drill a hole and you will become a pinstriper first. Might even be able to write your name.

Don't though and I repeat use a table saw. Bad things happen.

ahh now i was planning using a table saw to cut the bolts off filling the old holes :tup:

but i do have one head almost done. it doesn't look too bad.

 

[NecroWolf]

Re: drilling vortec heads

completed, not nearly as hard as i thought it would be, especially after i got my drill press set up. for anyone thinking about vortecs this is too easy to pay someone else to do it if your budget is very tight like mine. i have one of those table top drill presses and it worked ok.