Back to the KIT!---
I just received the cylinder head all it's furniture.
The makers of this engine is SO close to being sho nuff 'RIGHT'. The head casting is so much superior to the Prakash made head it’s just amazing. The new PS head is FLAT and the cooling galleys are AT LEAST twice as big as my FuKing. No signs of parting flash or clogged passages that have to be chiseled out. There's very little to be done to make this head dead solid perfect.
The valves are NICE. The fit and finish is again at least twice as good as my FuKing. The valve keepers are well made and seem to be the same....something different.
The valve springs are even well finished!
The rocker assembly leaves something to be desired...especially the "valve rocker striking pin". The radius is not smooth and the surface of the pin is not square with the lash caps. (I'm making a fixture to grind these correctly, be patient.) The rocker bracket is pretty crude *looking* but the holes are square with the ends and each other so the parts are held in the proper alignment. The rocker shaft is well finished and round and is fed by a small brass grease cup that attaches to one end.
<side note> I installed a grease cup in my rocker shaft and I grease TOO much, too often, and tend to forget to lube the valve stems occasionally.
Push rods and the pushrod adjuster screws are hardened well and much smoother than my previous engine but there's still enough improvements to be made to make a DIYer smile.
The valve cover is sheet metal instead of the aluminum casting of #1 and it's probably about perfect for what it's made for...keeping dust out the valve train, but I sure wish the Indians would buy some sheet metal at least as thick as a garbage can. Theirs seems to be closer to coke can gauge.
I like the solid and long-lasting look, feel, and sound, of cast iron for covers....or at least something as stout as an American engine valve cover.
The water inlet and outlet in this kit engine is American 1" pipe threaded. It's more than adequate and sure handy for using (bronze) street elbows on Tees for the cooling system. I've already plumbed the building for 1 1/4" NPT so will re-tap the engine fittings.
More pictures soon.
I poured grout on the engine stand this morning and I'm welding fuel and cooling tanks this afternoon. Monday will be 'pull apart and get right' day.