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Can a Z head be machined?

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Todd Brewer

07-28-2005 16:46:12

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I took the head from my ZTS to a machine shop and they told me they couldn't machine the head because it wasn't flat. Can a Z head be machined? If so, what is the secret?

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dieselbear

07-29-2005 17:58:07

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Re: Can a Z head be machined? in reply to Todd Brewer, 07-28-2005 16:46:12

It"s easier and cheeper to remove the studs from the cyl. blocks and have that surface milled. A good shop will do it easy

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Joe Leising

07-29-2005 10:33:45

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Re: Can a Z head be machined? in reply to Todd Brewer, 07-28-2005 16:46:12

Yes they can be milled. I took about 0.125 off of a 226C head several years ago. I did it at work on a Bridgeport style machine. I just clamped it up tight in the machine vice, indicated it in pretty flat and level, and let the chips fly. I was good for a couple of horsepower on the dyno. Probably not as much as a 2647lp head, but for the money I had in it it was worth it.

Joe

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Kelvin

07-28-2005 18:13:11

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Re: Can a Z head be machined? in reply to Todd Brewer, 07-28-2005 16:46:12

I'll wade in on this one: If you took it to an automotive machine shop, there was a very good chance they had no equipment in their shop to do the job.
To machine a Z head, you will need to take it to an industrial type of machine shop with lathes and milling machines and such that makes parts to fix machinery.
To mill a Z head it will require some type of milling machine. Most job-shop type machine shops will have a vertical mill and it will probably work, although the head was probably originally milled on a horizontal mill that milled several of the sealing surfaces at one pass.
You will probably have to also pay the machine shop to rig up some sort of jig to hold the head while it is machined, since the outside has no flat machined surfaces.
Also-job shop prices are not in line with automotive machine shop prices.

Best be sitting down when they give you a quote. Last time I talked to one seems like they said $60/hr with 4 hr minimum?

That said, Why would you want to machine a Z head? I've never seen a Z head that needed help, except for one off a burnt tractor.

If you are looking to raise compression, look for an LP head. Welters had some a while back: 417-498-6496.

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ILL John

07-28-2005 19:20:40

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Re: Can a Z head be machined? in reply to Kelvin, 07-28-2005 18:13:11

What is the casting # on your head? There are 7 different heads that I know of, RE226C being the most popular, it's for a gasoline burner, there are 2 LP/natural gas heads to raise the compression from there, 4 to lower it. IF you're working with the 4" stroke EE engine, to bore it, you'll need an LP head to get back up to the normal compression, they came with domed pistons, if you're working on the 186 RE, or the 206, at stock rpm, the gasoline head does best. With the higher compression heads, these engines lose their lugging power quickly as rpm decreases. Just my 2 cents worth. John

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mike logan

07-29-2005 15:00:11

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Re: Can a Z head be machined? in reply to ILL John, 07-28-2005 19:20:40

I have a Z that isn't hurting for anything. I bought a head from Welters that they machined 125 thousandths. I don't use it because I found an LP head. Power has never been an issue. I can pull 2nd gear in the 3500 class. If you're interested in the head let me know. Don't let anyone tell you a Z can't make power. I was told that and proved them all wrong.

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Andy2

07-29-2005 15:43:38

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Re: Can a Z head be machined? in reply to mike logan, 07-29-2005 15:00:11

What did you do to get a Z to 3500?

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Mike Logan

07-31-2005 03:00:06

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Re: Can a Z head be machined? in reply to Andy2, 07-29-2005 15:43:38

I also use a 1 galon gas tank. If you're rebuilding the engine you can also loose a few pounds in the pistons with aftermarket aluminum. Don't forget to drain the gear oil. I run about 2 gallons in mine. I also built my own intake and exhaust. Talking about rear wheels. I took the tubes out. That was another 30 lbs. Without me on it the weight is 3430 lbs. I also built my own seat bracket and it has wheelie bars. It might also be for sale since the wife has left. I'll just have to finish my U and pull her in the 4500. Should do good with the 600 cubes she has

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Baelee05

07-30-2005 06:10:00

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Re: Can a Z head be machined? in reply to Andy2, 07-29-2005 15:43:38

Well Mike can probably tell you better than I but here goes. Getting the Z to 3500 is pretty easy. Getting it down far enough so you can put some weight out front gets tricky. If you have to run fenders have some light weight aluminum ones made. Remove pto and replace with aluminum cover. We cut most of the trans cover except where gear shift is and replace with aluminum. Aluminum rims or pressed steel with as many holes cut out of them as they can stand. Now the fun part. We took a side grinder and took every little lobe or bracket of cast iron off the rear of the tractor that was not necessary. Of course it will never be anything but a pulling tractor after these steps but you sure can shed weight. Oh yeah. If you are really desperate you can run without the starter.

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Mopower

08-01-2005 05:11:19

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Re: Can a Z head be machined? in reply to Baelee05, 07-30-2005 06:10:00

I am hoping to get my Twin City JTU down to 3500#. I'm not sure what it weighs because it is a pile of misfit parts at the moment.

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mike logan

07-29-2005 16:21:37

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Re: Can a Z head be machined? in reply to Andy2, 07-29-2005 15:43:38

you'll have to email me for that

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Kelvin

07-30-2005 18:14:17

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Re: Can a Z head be machined? in reply to mike logan, 07-29-2005 16:21:37

Just wondering if you guys are talking about a ZA or a ZT.

We got my '39 ZT into 4200 once by just removing the cultivator brackets, mechanical lift shield and cap, belt pulley cap and air cleaner rain cap.
And it still had the cast front and rear wheels.

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mo4xdadad

08-01-2005 15:31:04

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Re: Can a Z head be machined? in reply to Kelvin, 07-30-2005 18:14:17

We have a Z that runs 3rd always in 3500 and 4000 and sometimes 4th on loose tracks, propane head, 5 3/4" stroke, late stle govenor, with a bigger combo being built for an R
These little engines can produce some serious power. We also have two R"s with 6" turning for competition. We can usually beat them because our govenor kit is stronger.

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mo4xdadad

08-01-2005 15:31:03

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Re: Can a Z head be machined? in reply to Kelvin, 07-30-2005 18:14:17

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Augie

08-02-2005 10:15:48

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Re: Can a Z head be machined? in reply to mo4xdadad, 08-01-2005 15:31:03

Could you email me about the RTI that you're parting out? Sent you one via YTMail but never heard anything back.

casemanaugieATyahoo.com replace the AT with @

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