RFD Cylinder Heads
1 - 20 of 147 Posts
Joined
·
4 Posts
I got a set of 18 degree small block heads from him. They were several weeks late getting to me and I didn't receive any type of paperwork with the heads telling the chamber sizes, spring specs, or any other kind of info. They were also supposed to have the chambers softened but didn't. I called in and talked to dan and he sent me a generic flow sheet from 2015 and still no info on anything else. Kind of hard to get the right cam and pistons in this situation. The heads look great but I wouldn't use them again if I had to chose.
Joined
·
20,844 Posts
I got the decks cleaned up from my machine shop and while there asked them to cc the cambers. Chambers came out at 98cc and with a piston (RFD supplied) with 4.5cc dome, compression came out to be about 12.3:1.
I asked for 15.0:1 comp and the heads had a chamber too large. He told me to deck the heads to get chamber size down but the valve pockets were not deep enough to do that. He supplied pistons too.
After pressing him to make good and do me another set of heads, he then said it as a piston problem and to send them back to him for a look.
I sent the heads in to get the decks done and got them flowed when they were there. Number were way down as per the pic I posted in that thread.
I know you don't race flow benches, but if your supplied a flow sheet with a set of heads, then they should flow what the sheet says or at least close to.
I sent a email to ask why they are not as should be. The reply I got was from Dan that said "When will your engine be finished". Rang a couple of times and left messages as no one answered.
Decided to fix the problems myself and give him the flick.
Its cost me $6k for machining cc check and flowed, new pistons and new exhaust springs and shims to match the cam that he organised for me too.
I spent about $15k US with him (heads complete, sheetmetal manifold, pistons, rings, pins) and didn't get much satisfaction.
Awaiting new pistons to arrive at the moment. When I get it sorted and dyno'd, i'll post power figures.
I asked for 15.0:1 comp and the heads had a chamber too large. He told me to deck the heads to get chamber size down but the valve pockets were not deep enough to do that. He supplied pistons too.
After pressing him to make good and do me another set of heads, he then said it as a piston problem and to send them back to him for a look.
I sent the heads in to get the decks done and got them flowed when they were there. Number were way down as per the pic I posted in that thread.
I know you don't race flow benches, but if your supplied a flow sheet with a set of heads, then they should flow what the sheet says or at least close to.
I sent a email to ask why they are not as should be. The reply I got was from Dan that said "When will your engine be finished". Rang a couple of times and left messages as no one answered.
Decided to fix the problems myself and give him the flick.
Its cost me $6k for machining cc check and flowed, new pistons and new exhaust springs and shims to match the cam that he organised for me too.
I spent about $15k US with him (heads complete, sheetmetal manifold, pistons, rings, pins) and didn't get much satisfaction.
Awaiting new pistons to arrive at the moment. When I get it sorted and dyno'd, i'll post power figures.
i dont have a bad experience with him, but i do know i wont do business with the guys who are constantly on here going back and forth on engine combos and stuff... especially if they are a 1 or 2 man band. i think its great they take the time to get on the forums and interact with potential customers and show there knowledge , but damn stay in the shop and get shit done dont drag out projects becuase you need your 6-8 hours a day internet time
Joined
·
9,312 Posts
It looks that way!!!
Need be careful with dealing with anyone overseas because they know they can take our money easier with less chance of any repercussion.
Those flow figures are WAY off.
Joined
·
2,079 Posts
I recommended him for a set of 18 degree heads for a friend. Heads where way down on advertised flow numbers. He ended up having to have the heads ported over and flowed again to get the csa right to make power
Joined
·
20,844 Posts
These were sent to me in PM's. Names withheld. Someone might come in one day and take ownership.
I had RFD do a set of heads for me. 45 cfm down at .600 and they never reached his claimed 390CFM. These were for a Harley. When I received the heads back, the valve train geometry was a mess, and the Pistons he had made were made with not enough valve pocket.
Cost me 2k to get new valves and custom rockers, and have the Pistons measured to proper clearance.
The heads are on his site.
I called to fix this and have never received a return call.
I had RFD do a set of heads for me. 45 cfm down at .600 and they never reached his claimed 390CFM. These were for a Harley. When I received the heads back, the valve train geometry was a mess, and the Pistons he had made were made with not enough valve pocket.
Cost me 2k to get new valves and custom rockers, and have the Pistons measured to proper clearance.
The heads are on his site.
I called to fix this and have never received a return call.
Joined
·
20,844 Posts
and another................
My full on "no expense spared" set of Victor Pros came with surface rust on the springs. The T&D rockers he designed (For the Victor Pros) had to be modified by Steve Morris in order to work. These heads are for my 3000HP twin turbo build and he had 3/8 pushrod holes.
I left a message for Dan but never got a return call so I moved on and had Steve Morris address the issues.
Both, he and Dan were a pleasure to work with but not returning calls doesn't work for me
My full on "no expense spared" set of Victor Pros came with surface rust on the springs. The T&D rockers he designed (For the Victor Pros) had to be modified by Steve Morris in order to work. These heads are for my 3000HP twin turbo build and he had 3/8 pushrod holes.
I left a message for Dan but never got a return call so I moved on and had Steve Morris address the issues.
Both, he and Dan were a pleasure to work with but not returning calls doesn't work for me
Joined
·
16,597 Posts
SSSSSHHHHHHHHH.........I make a fortune "reconditioning" 2 stroke outboard heads.....lol
Joined
·
20,844 Posts
From Dart website.........![]()
Paid over $8K for a set of heads from RFD and lost 20cfm over a Dart factory ported head.
that head functions quite well. I see you've re purposed it. As a paperweight.:smt118![]()
You could always sell them to Mike. After all he does own a boat shop and some of his customers may need new boat anchors.From Dart website.........
Paid over $8K for a set of heads from RFD and lost 20cfm over a Dart factory ported head.
1 - 20 of 147 Posts
