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Thread: Aftermarket 6.5 Diesel Heads, non china, source?

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  1. #1
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    Default Aftermarket 6.5 Diesel Heads, non china, source?

    Going through my stash of cylinder heads but it's starting to look a little grim trying to find something my very picky machinist (but I like that actually) will work with.

    So, I wanted to see about some Aftermarket castings that were NOT made in china. I had read somewhere that some were being made in Canada, but that might of just been an aftermarket block.

    Please don't post about Clearwater, Alabama Cylinder Heads, or other that just sells the chinese stuff. Yes, Robyn, don't need no cheer leading for Clearwater in this thread.

    Anyone know?

    On the verge of also just ponying up and getting the AMG ones. I just hate to because the engine I'm trying to put together isn't a new (or bored and built) it's just a "Freshen up" and get the darn truck out the driveway deal. Gotta get the K3500 CC Dually running, need something that can haul the heavy things.

    I've also considered the numerious companies out there that reman these heads in masses. I've contacted a few, but I didn't like the results as they all didn't perform the correct machine work on the heads. No use in buying a set of reman heads only to have to take them down to my local speed shop and have them made right (they also grumble about stuff like that too, fixing others' crap).

    Thanks!
    1982 C10 SCSWB 6.5TD, mods too extensive to list. (13.69 1/4 mile @94.6 MPH) RACE TRUCK
    1982 C10 SCSWB 6.2NA, 2.73 700
    1986 C10 SCLWB 6.2TD 3.73 700
    1989 V20 SUB 6.2NA, 3.73 400
    1994 G20 VAN 6.5NA, 3.42 60E
    1994 K20LD ECSWB 6.5TD, 3.42 80E
    1995 K20 SUB 6.5TD, Wrecked, ran into by stupid teen.
    1995 C3500HD DRW 6.5TD, 12' Flatbed 5.13 80E
    1995 C3500HD DRW 6.5TD, 18' Rollback Wrecker 4.63 80E
    1994 C20HD ECLWB 6.5TD 3.73 80E Wifes Truck.
    1995 C20LD ECSWB 6.5TD 3.73 80E
    1995 K20LD SCLWB 6.5TD 3.73 80E
    1996 K30 DRW 6.5TD 4.10 80E
    1997 C10 Tahoe 2Door 2WD 5.7L to 6.5 Conversion Underway

  2. #2
    rogers's Avatar
    rogers is offline Where there's smoke.... There's fire!
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    You might look at SSDiesel for some heads. I bought some from him last summer. He swore they were made in the USA, Alabama I think. I can't say for the quality as I haven't taken them out of the boxes yet. Just had other priorities. They look good sitting in the box though.
    1996 GMC K3500 Crew Cab Dually 8ft bed
    Rebuilt engine 2/10 18:1 pistons, forged crank, Fluidamper, dsg gear drive timing, high flow oil pump, rebuilt GM8, turbomaster, Kennedy ECM, 4" exhaust, wrapped cross-over and down pipe, '98+ cooling, Duramax fan, aftermarket oil cooler and hoses
    Rebuilt tranny 2/10

  3. #3
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    ACH's heads country of origin is unknown, but I highly suspect China, as I've had a set of their heads. The heads are assembled here in the states using used valves and components. That's why they WANT the core back regardless of the condition of the casting.

    When they first got in the game I saw a set on eBay pretty cheap, so I bought them. They had a no haggle return if I wasn't satisfied.

    Well, I didn't like the machining on the surface of the heads, and the fact the precombustion ports were machined in the heads (with the surface grinder). They're not even stainless steel precups, who knows what they are. Probably that same pot metal crap that was used to make the GM heater quick connect fittings that breaks on every engine...

    Anyways, I sent them back.

    Now, there are about 10 different head shops selling different (or the same) reproduction heads.

    The sales pitch is always the same too, "we increased the thickness in all the areas that crack to make them stronger." Ha, ha, ha! When you make the surfaces thicker that crack it can make the problem worse. From what I understand most cracking is due to uneven heat transfer, among other things.

    They supposedly increased the thickness of the walls on the port that goes between the valves. Can't say this is the right move or not, but I suspect not. The crack always starts on the edge of the seat, exhaust valve primarily. So the cooling port being smaller isn't going to make any real difference, except that it'll take the crack longer until it get's to water. The crack will probably still occur. The real issue is the induction hardening on the seats, the crack starts here.

    Rant off...

    Still looking for Canada castings.
    Last edited by john8662; 10-29-2009 at 22:34.
    1982 C10 SCSWB 6.5TD, mods too extensive to list. (13.69 1/4 mile @94.6 MPH) RACE TRUCK
    1982 C10 SCSWB 6.2NA, 2.73 700
    1986 C10 SCLWB 6.2TD 3.73 700
    1989 V20 SUB 6.2NA, 3.73 400
    1994 G20 VAN 6.5NA, 3.42 60E
    1994 K20LD ECSWB 6.5TD, 3.42 80E
    1995 K20 SUB 6.5TD, Wrecked, ran into by stupid teen.
    1995 C3500HD DRW 6.5TD, 12' Flatbed 5.13 80E
    1995 C3500HD DRW 6.5TD, 18' Rollback Wrecker 4.63 80E
    1994 C20HD ECLWB 6.5TD 3.73 80E Wifes Truck.
    1995 C20LD ECSWB 6.5TD 3.73 80E
    1995 K20LD SCLWB 6.5TD 3.73 80E
    1996 K30 DRW 6.5TD 4.10 80E
    1997 C10 Tahoe 2Door 2WD 5.7L to 6.5 Conversion Underway

  4. #4
    rogers's Avatar
    rogers is offline Where there's smoke.... There's fire!
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    Quote Originally Posted by john8662 View Post
    ACH's heads country of origin is unknown, but I highly suspect China, as I've had a set of their heads. The heads are assembled here in the states using used valves and components. That's why they WANT the core back regardless of the condition of the casting.
    I'm sorry, who is ACH? SS doesn't ask for your heads. I am not trying to support SS, just trying clarify.
    1996 GMC K3500 Crew Cab Dually 8ft bed
    Rebuilt engine 2/10 18:1 pistons, forged crank, Fluidamper, dsg gear drive timing, high flow oil pump, rebuilt GM8, turbomaster, Kennedy ECM, 4" exhaust, wrapped cross-over and down pipe, '98+ cooling, Duramax fan, aftermarket oil cooler and hoses
    Rebuilt tranny 2/10

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by rogers View Post
    I'm sorry, who is ACH? SS doesn't ask for your heads. I am not trying to support SS, just trying clarify.
    You mentioned he got them from Alabama, I read into that as being he probably gets them from Alabama Cylinder Heads (ACH).

    J

  6. #6
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    http://www.dieselservices.com/html/g...mplete_p92.cfm

    I put a pair of these on my rebuild a few years ago, they appeared to be good quality but am not sure where they are actually cast. I put 40k on them towing and had no issues. I sold the truck though but am sure they are doing fine.
    Joshua R. L. Certified Journeyman Automotive Service Technician

    1997 K1500 6.5T, DSG gears 'n' girdles 364k
    1997 K2500 5.7, 428k
    1999 K2500 6.5T, 514K
    1961 Apache 10 SWB panel, work in progress

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