300zx's ELX work log

[KAinjection]

So basically we are talking a light press fit.

I would be the only person at this point attempting to use the kia knuckle. I am ok with you making it to the BG thickness, as that last .120" wont make much difference.

I would be in for 2 sets at that price. One for an OE style and 1 to use for a rod end later.

This is a good deal for anybody running coilovers to fix the tie rod geometry.

Almost forgot, I checked my tie rod ends and IDK what I was talking about last night, but there is only about 1/8-3/16" of threads past my castle nut.

[ftjandra]

Yes, I'd like a nice press fit, but drilled holes are usually over-sized a smidgen. Should be easy to install by drawing it in with a bolt.

We'll go back to 1/16" flange thickness to make the insert as short as possible. Should still be plenty strong.

--Ferdi

[crazycanadian]

I'll wait for this to pan out and see how it all comes to plan on the car.. but I am interested in the project... keep up the work..

[CODY004WD]

I would be in at that price. I too may be doing Kia knuckles at the point that these go in. My plan is to countersink a washer in the top of the tie rod flange of the knuckle, first to negate the short length of the insert, and second to ensure the castle-nut engages the threads enough for the cotter pin.

[KAinjection]

Thats a good idea Cody, I am curious though how you would do it?

Machine shop?, Larger drill bit? Shave it down with a grinder? haha What is your plan for the brakes if you do Kia knuckles?

I am glad to see this coming together, and am excited to try these out.

[Mazda_Powered]

I'd be in for a set (if not two) Protege BG, stock tie rod end

[KaleoXtreme]

I'd be in for 2 sets.

[KAinjection]

Well I was busy the last couple days: Welded the V-band on the header, did some more prep on the carbon hood and cosworth vents, tack welded the ring gear on the aluminum flywheel since fidanza likes to use 3 tiny little bolts that dont work. Did a little work on the Kia intake, some minor port cleanup on the head and cleaning the carbon off all the valve faces. Started lapping the valves using a new method I read about, first valve I tried turned out great and the seal not only looks better then the OE one it seals better too, and the OE one looks good for 100K miles, no pitting and a nice smooth finish.

[Mazda_Powered]

curious about this new method you found, care to enlighten me/us? lol

[KAinjection]

It basically involves using much finer lapping compounds to achieve a better seal then the normal coarse valve lapping compound you get from the parts stores. The end result is a mirror finish if you take it far enough.

No scratches, less material removed, wont cut into the hardened seat surface, wont sink the valves as much and lower your compression ratio, and a better seal.

Start with 400grit, rotate tool back and forth about 16 times total, clean the valve and seat. Apply the 600 grit, rotate tool about 16 times back and forth again, then clean valve and seat. Set the valve in the head and use a very bright light or flashlight and make sure the port your working on is dark. Check for any light leaking through all the way around the valve seat, and be sure any carbon is cleaned off the valve before this is done since it can make it appear the valve is sealed by blocking the light. Rotate the valves around as your checking to make sure its perfect.

Still have light leaks--repeat the 400-600 cycle again

No light leaks:

Use 1200grit to remove any scratches left from the 600 grit. rotate valve back and forth about 8-16 times. clean the valve and seat.
Use an abrasive metal polish to make the valve and seat sealing surface shiny to remove all traces of the lapping compounds. Rotate valve back and forth 8-16 times. clean valve and seat. You will notice how much nicer the valve and seat sealing surface look. Nice shiny and smooth surface=about as good a valve seal as you could ever hope for, and it almost looks like they were machined together.

Another bonus is that the valve seal is supposed to last far longer then using the other commonly available compounds/methods

[Mazda_Powered]

lol that's what I did for the last BP I did head work on, guess I'm just as compulsive about these things too haha

[DuRWooD]

Tip of the day: Use a blinking flashlight to check for leaks. The blinking light is much easier to see when the leak is small.

[KAinjection]

Thanks, I will try that. Good thing my flashlight has a strobe effect on it.

[FE3-323]

interesting valve lapping technique.
I should shed to light that any abrasive household compound can be used to lap valves. I.E. baking powder(finer) baking soda(coarser then powder) hell. even toothpaste.

do you have any links with visual pictures of how you place the sand paper while doing this??

[KAinjection]

lol, I didnt use sandpaper. I used different grades of lapping compound. 400, 600, 1200. It comes in other grades as well....