It's a big gamble.
Specs are specs and they exist for a good reason. The machinists I know don't so blatantly ignore them. Exceptions are when they are done for a reason to achieve some goal. I don't see a goal here, except avoiding having to redo some work. If there is one, have him explain it and I'd like to learn what advantage there is in cutting the recession margin by half. The guys that ignore specs are also usually VERY experienced with a particular engine and know all the ins and outs... usually learning from having broken stuff. If that's the case, pick the guys brain and teach us. But I gotta say, my BS detector is ringing stridently here.
I did what you are proposing re the clay and such. Count on an eight hour day by the time you are done doing two cylinders on both heads. As you do it, remember you are doing it ONLY because the machinist refuses to set the recession properly. If the recession is set properly, the clearance is more or less a given and the check is unnecessary.
The answer is simple. Get him to agree, in writing, to cover all costs if this goes wrong. Labor, parts, everything. If he does, that will indicate his level of confidence. Or vice versa. Normally, machinists will only cover the costs of redoing what they did. You eat the time to R&R the heads and the parts cost involved in that. If this goes wrong, you have this variance from specs documented, so at least you can get your heads fixed, or your money back for the head work but there's a lot more to this potentially and even if he covers it all, it's going to be a PITA. All because he won't set the recession properly!
Part of me wants you to try it and see what the tolerances are for all of this but I'm really getting bad vibes and don't want you making tracks to the pharmacy for Preparation-H to assuage the PITA.
i dont want you guys thinking that im not taking your word.
i was only charged 300 for the work. i do have some pull with the guy, because his 1958 chevy is sitting at my house
for some wiring i need to finish.
i dont need to get anything in writing. he will fix it without issue.
in regards to the prep H, years ago i decided that i would never get pissed about cars again, it takes all the fun out of it!
even if a engine blows up, oah well, it happens. this is why i run most of my vehicles beyond the limit.
i do want this engine correct. and i do agree that the valves should be kissed to avoid a piston to valve party.
on the other hand,
im a hard headed individual.
sometimes its hard for things to sink in.
spending a day and slapping the heads on using the clay method isnt a waste of time IMO.
not only will it give me physical evidence that things are incorrect,
but it will teach me a thing or two about these engines.
i know for a fact that this site is the best on the internet.
and you guys have the experience required to tell me this is incorrect.
but i would like to see how close it really does get.
thank you for all your help!
i will post my results when i do it.
most likely gonna be a few weeks before i get to it.
