SKOGDOG
One of the old ones.
Well, Blacktopper and I tore into my '08 K9 engine last month, as it had a persistent ticking sound that a bleed down test revealed to be a bad exhaust valve guide in the rear cylinder. Sent the parts to S&S and just went ahead and paid full price to re-do the heads (actually had to replace the rear head), bore the cylinders (new pistons), and had the jugs decked to kick up the compression a bit. Also plunked in a 585 cam as long as it was handy, and replaced a failed compression release.
All in all, wound up some north of 2 grand on the deal. On the same day we're adjusting the valves and finishing up, Shovelheadkicker gets on Ebay and posts a package deal for OEM S&S parts: heads, jugs, and pistons for $999.:bang::bang:
No way to figure It where I didn't leave near a grand on the table.:angry:
Obvious conclusions:
1. I have a really good engine in the K9 now, and it will hopefully serve for at least another 40,000 miles (actually I'm hoping for a lot more than that). It sounds great and promises to be very strong....
2. I really should have done a little more homework here on the Forum and chatted with guys like Andrew, Mr. Wright and Jon Sachs before sending parts away to S&S. and of course you know a phone call to my fellow Kansans Derek and Donna (Shovelheadkicker) would have equalled the quality and saved money.
3. All in all, the sting goes away (a little bit) when that Dog fires up and I hear the crisp bark of that higher compression and the loping of the cam.....and the satisfaction of having disassembled and reassembled it in the shop is pretty damn fulfilling too.
Can't wait for spring!
All in all, wound up some north of 2 grand on the deal. On the same day we're adjusting the valves and finishing up, Shovelheadkicker gets on Ebay and posts a package deal for OEM S&S parts: heads, jugs, and pistons for $999.:bang::bang:
No way to figure It where I didn't leave near a grand on the table.:angry:
Obvious conclusions:
1. I have a really good engine in the K9 now, and it will hopefully serve for at least another 40,000 miles (actually I'm hoping for a lot more than that). It sounds great and promises to be very strong....
2. I really should have done a little more homework here on the Forum and chatted with guys like Andrew, Mr. Wright and Jon Sachs before sending parts away to S&S. and of course you know a phone call to my fellow Kansans Derek and Donna (Shovelheadkicker) would have equalled the quality and saved money.
3. All in all, the sting goes away (a little bit) when that Dog fires up and I hear the crisp bark of that higher compression and the loping of the cam.....and the satisfaction of having disassembled and reassembled it in the shop is pretty damn fulfilling too.
Can't wait for spring!

