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Aluminum Cylinder Head Clearance #2676539
07/11/19 11:21 AM
07/11/19 11:21 AM
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Michigan
MarkZ Offline OP
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While trying to install the Holley distributor to enable timing control on my Sniper setup I discovered the base of the distributor hits the head and won't seat properly. I've marked the area that needs to be clearanced. What do you guys think, rotary file? I could probably get a grinding disc in there, but the aluminum would load up on the disk.

20190706_150332.jpg

1987 Fifth Avenue - 512/518/D60
Re: Aluminum Cylinder Head Clearance [Re: MarkZ] #2676540
07/11/19 11:25 AM
07/11/19 11:25 AM
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Eagle, Idaho
Neil Offline
The Doctor is in.
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Dremel tool?

Re: Aluminum Cylinder Head Clearance [Re: Neil] #2676545
07/11/19 11:51 AM
07/11/19 11:51 AM
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Minn
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SportF Offline
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Plug up the hole, get a vacuum right on the exhaust of the rotary tool (the direction the chips fly, and have at it.

Re: Aluminum Cylinder Head Clearance [Re: SportF] #2676556
07/11/19 12:36 PM
07/11/19 12:36 PM
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MI, usa
dvw Offline
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I used a corset aluminum rotary but on my -1 Indys. I'd be asking about water jacket.
Doug

Re: Aluminum Cylinder Head Clearance [Re: MarkZ] #2676597
07/11/19 03:38 PM
07/11/19 03:38 PM
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AndyF Offline
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Get a big sanding roll. Maybe something 1 inch in diameter or even larger. Use a super coarse grit like 36. It will only take you a few seconds to do the job once you have the right tool.

Re: Aluminum Cylinder Head Clearance [Re: AndyF] #2676677
07/11/19 10:56 PM
07/11/19 10:56 PM
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Lost in Time
Iowan Offline
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I've got a inline cutoff wheel that would work great for that, I'd use it like a grinder and let the wheel make a nice cut using in a sweeping motion. It would make a nice concave cut in the head, I would then clean it up with a inline belt sander. The concave shape would fit the distributor.


Have a great day
Iowan

"obsolete is neat"

Re: Aluminum Cylinder Head Clearance [Re: MarkZ] #2676701
07/12/19 01:08 AM
07/12/19 01:08 AM
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Oregon
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AndyF Offline
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Re: Aluminum Cylinder Head Clearance [Re: AndyF] #2676722
07/12/19 07:37 AM
07/12/19 07:37 AM
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nowhere
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Sniper Offline
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nowhere
So what does this distributor bring to the show that a lean burn distributor doesn't? Other than clearance issues and triple the price, or more?

Re: Aluminum Cylinder Head Clearance [Re: Sniper] #2676739
07/12/19 08:28 AM
07/12/19 08:28 AM
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Michigan
MarkZ Offline OP
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Originally Posted by Sniper
So what does this distributor bring to the show that a lean burn distributor doesn't? Other than clearance issues and triple the price, or more?


It uses hall effect sensors as opposed to magnetic pickup for the trigger. I guess mag pickups don't provide a clean enough signal for the ECU.

I'll report back when I've had a chance to work on the car. Thanks everyone.


1987 Fifth Avenue - 512/518/D60
Re: Aluminum Cylinder Head Clearance [Re: MarkZ] #2676777
07/12/19 11:12 AM
07/12/19 11:12 AM
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Aurora, Colorado
451Mopar Offline
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Had same issue with the FAST Dual Sync and Stealth heads.

I don't know how good the Sniper dist trigger signal conditioning is as I see many people complaining about signal noise?

On my FiTech, I used a lean burn dist and it works fine, but I think the reference angles are different between the Sniper and FiTech so may need the reluctor with the different pin positions to correct the rotor phasing?

Re: Aluminum Cylinder Head Clearance [Re: AndyF] #2676781
07/12/19 11:18 AM
07/12/19 11:18 AM
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central texas
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krautrock Offline
top fuel
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Originally Posted by AndyF


Andy, what heads did you use on that motor? Trickflow?

Re: Aluminum Cylinder Head Clearance [Re: MarkZ] #2676868
07/12/19 04:59 PM
07/12/19 04:59 PM
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Atlanta, GA
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mgoblue9798 Offline
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Get a bar of soap and rub it on whatever cutting tool you use. I will help prevent the aluminum from loading up. This bit in a die grinder would make short work of it. Remember to duct tape over the distributor hole before starting. smile
https://www.amazon.com/TEMO-Aluminum-CARBIDE-Cylinder-Diameter/dp/B00385NKW4

Last edited by mgoblue9798; 07/12/19 05:00 PM.
Re: Aluminum Cylinder Head Clearance [Re: krautrock] #2676900
07/12/19 07:43 PM
07/12/19 07:43 PM
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AndyF Offline
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Originally Posted by krautrock
Originally Posted by AndyF


Andy, what heads did you use on that motor? Trickflow?


No, that engine had Mopar Performance 452 aluminum heads. My new engine has Trick Flow heads and they did not require clearancing.

Re: Aluminum Cylinder Head Clearance [Re: AndyF] #2676961
07/13/19 12:39 AM
07/13/19 12:39 AM
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Balt. Md
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383man Offline
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We have the Holley dist in my sons 400 Dart with the Holley Sniper system. He has Eddy RPM heads and we had to clearance them a little also. I just used my air grinder with a wizz wheel on it. Only had to remove a small amount and of course plug the dist hole real good. Ron

Re: Aluminum Cylinder Head Clearance [Re: AndyF] #2679486
07/20/19 04:44 PM
07/20/19 04:44 PM
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Michigan
MarkZ Offline OP
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Originally Posted by AndyF


I feel rather silly now, but yeah, I did and I didn't even remember that bit. Going to Menard's in the morning to pick up a sanding drum.


1987 Fifth Avenue - 512/518/D60
Re: Aluminum Cylinder Head Clearance [Re: MarkZ] #2679799
07/21/19 03:53 PM
07/21/19 03:53 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,369
Michigan
MarkZ Offline OP
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Distributor fits. Went with Andy's advice and picked up a sanding drum with a 50 grit roll. Turns out the cap to CRC contact cleaner is exactly the right diameter to use a template for a distributor hole cover. Was also able to put a shopvac downwind of the chips - still made a mess, but not as bad as it could have been. Thanks again everyone.

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1987 Fifth Avenue - 512/518/D60
Re: Aluminum Cylinder Head Clearance [Re: MarkZ] #2679821
07/21/19 05:52 PM
07/21/19 05:52 PM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,399
Aurora, Colorado
451Mopar Offline
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