I just got my heads back from being ported today. I won't say who did it until I get to talk to them first. They are magnum heads, fully ported. They broke through where the valve cover bolt holes are. In one port, the hole is about 3/16" X 1/8", and the rest are pinholes with paper thin metal left. I don't know much about porting heads. I know definitely do not break into any of the water journals, which they did not. Is this normal, or should I be getting in someones a$$ over it? I'll try to get pics up later. Thanks, Dave

normal

I break through the rocker cover bolt holes on every OEM SB head I do.
It doesnt hurt anything. I just use RTV on a stud.

Yes that is common,you can JB weld the surface if you want but when the bolts are in place it will not be leaking

Thanks, guys. I was worried at first, then thought it didn't seem like it would hurt, but wanted to make sure. Thanks again

Shoot, I break through there, the rocker stud hole, the head bolt hole and, if the head has the material, through the pushrod hole. Sleeves for the bolt hole and the pushrod hole, thread sealer on the other two.

So then, on the ones where there are a couple pinholes and the metal is thinner than paper, should just go ahead and knock out that thin piece to prevent it from possibly being sucked in?

If it's secure, I wouldn't worry about it, but if it's flapping in the wind, definitely knock it out so it can't come loose and run through the motor.