F#@k You AFR!!! - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

HardcoreZ28 · 07-22-2007, 05:36 PM

Well I finally got the brand new engine installed in my IROC about 3-4 weeks ago and it has been running like dogmeat since day one. I originally thought it was a tuning issue and spent hours with someone going through it and we couldn't find anything to make it run better. We came to the conclusion that there must have been something mechanically wrong.

After pulling all 8 plugs I found the #1 cylinder wasn't firing because the plug was doused in gas. I literally went through the entire ignition system replacing parts and it didn't help. I also thought I had a leaky injector so I swapped the #1 and #3 injector which was a 6 hour job with the Super Ram but my problem remained on cylinder #1.

Well finally after putting a compression gauge on #1 and #3 cylinders I found a 40 psi difference between the two. I pulled the valve cover and low and behold the #1 exhaust stud rocker was broken in half and the rocker was laying in the head. Not only was that one shot but the pushrod from the intake valve on that cylinder is bent so bad I can't pull it out through the top of the head. Also I can see some of the head casting cracking off on the bottom where the bent pushrod may have hit it. The intake lifter may be busted apart too which would mean pieces floating around the engine possibly.

I also have a strong feeling the rings on that cylinder may be no good and who knows if the cam lobes may have been wiped out at well.

AFR has a reputation for using cheap import studs on their expensive cylinder heads and I will be dealing with them tomorrow as soon as they open. Needless to say I am beyond furious.

The car definitely won't be back on the road before the nats nor will I be seeing any driving in it this season probably. So AFR.....F#@k You!

Rich189 · 07-22-2007, 05:49 PM

damn sorry bout the car bro.... your more then welcome to ride up to nats with me if you want to meet up somewhere

HardcoreZ28 · 07-22-2007, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich189

damn sorry bout the car bro.... your more then welcome to ride up to nats with me if you want to meet up somewhere

Thanks for the offer bro. I probably won't be at the Nats now. I was gonna be coming home early from upstate NY to go but now I'm gonna stay the whole weekend most likely.

1QWIKBIRD · 07-22-2007, 06:19 PM

That sucks. And it's not just AFR, alot of the head companies use cheap components on their assembled heads. Kinda silly really, you market a top of the line head, then fill it with junk, ship it and know the type of operating environment its going to be used in?? Makes no sense at all.

Good Luck dealing with AFR.....Take lots of pics and let them see the carnage.

The lesson (which sucks to learn this way) is buy the heads bare and put the good stuff in them yourself, its certainly no guarantee, but at least you have done all you can.

Chris

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardcoreZ28

Well I finally got the brand new engine installed in my IROC about 3-4 weeks ago and it has been running like dogmeat since day one. I originally thought it was a tuning issue and spent hours with someone going through it and we couldn't find anything to make it run better. We came to the conclusion that there must have been something mechanically wrong.

After pulling all 8 plugs I found the #1 cylinder wasn't firing because the plug was doused in gas. I literally went through the entire ignition system replacing parts and it didn't help. I also thought I had a leaky injector so I swapped the #1 and #3 injector which was a 6 hour job with the Super Ram but my problem remained on cylinder #1.

Well finally after putting a compression gauge on #1 and #3 cylinders I found a 40 psi difference between the two. I pulled the valve cover and low and behold the #1 exhaust stud rocker was broken in half and the rocker was laying in the head. Not only was that one shot but the pushrod from the intake valve on that cylinder is bent so bad I can't pull it out through the top of the head. Also I can see some of the head casting cracking off on the bottom where the bent pushrod may have hit it. The intake lifter may be busted apart too which would mean pieces floating around the engine possibly.

I also have a strong feeling the rings on that cylinder may be no good and who knows if the cam lobes may have been wiped out at well.

AFR has a reputation for using cheap import studs on their expensive cylinder heads and I will be dealing with them tomorrow as soon as they open. Needless to say I am beyond furious.

The car definitely won't be back on the road before the nats nor will I be seeing any driving in it this season probably. So AFR.....F#@k You!

bubba428 · 07-22-2007, 06:50 PM

YEA F you in the sphincter with a rusty rail-road spike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fast92RS · 07-22-2007, 08:08 PM

Damn sorry to here that paul. I hope I dont have any problems with my AFR heads when i fire up my motor.

WayFast84 · 07-22-2007, 08:42 PM

damn dude that blows

sorry to here about it, If you need any help when putting the car back together I can hand you tools, and fetch items..

HardcoreZ28 · 07-22-2007, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fast92RS

Damn sorry to here that paul. I hope I dont have any problems with my AFR heads when i fire up my motor.

I would highly suggest spending $20 and a few hours to upgrade your rocker studs.

WayFast84 · 07-22-2007, 10:19 PM

whats wrong with the studs? just cheap? pressed in? Both?

HardcoreZ28 · 07-22-2007, 10:20 PM

Screw in's but cheap offshore junk. Can't believe they don't use ARP stuff in their heads

Fast92RS · 07-23-2007, 05:14 AM

I will make sure I order them ASAP then. I will get a set of ARP studs.

johnjzjz · 07-23-2007, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1QWIKBIRD

That sucks. And it's not just AFR, alot of the head companies use cheap components on their assembled heads. Kinda silly really, you market a top of the line head, then fill it with junk, ship it and know the type of operating environment its going to be used in?? Makes no sense at all.

Good Luck dealing with AFR.....Take lots of pics and let them see the carnage.

The lesson (which sucks to learn this way) is buy the heads bare and put the good stuff in them yourself, its certainly no guarantee, but at least you have done all you can.

Chris

The lesson (which sucks to learn this way) is buy the heads bare and put the good stuff in them yourself, its certainly no guarantee, but at least you have done all you can.

that is not true as well -- the assembled heads are the best of the picks -- we have found the bare head combos are seconds , seats just not right - flatness incorrect or even angles on gasket areas incorrect --- it s$cks i know we do it all the time -- it is what is being sold by all and not going to get better any time soon - we buy assembled heads just for the good cores sell the junk on e bay and replace with top of the line stuff, studs, valves, springs retainers keys - all of it -- its more money but its what it takes to get the good stuff today -- jz

camaroracer1992 · 07-23-2007, 07:27 PM

thats why i only use ARP fasteners on my motor, never had a fastener failure. I had a reall bad experience with world produts heads.... never will buy another world product in my life again. i have brodix heads now and i love them!

jims69camaro · 07-24-2007, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnjzjz

The lesson (which sucks to learn this way) is buy the heads bare and put the good stuff in them yourself, its certainly no guarantee, but at least you have done all you can.

that is not true as well -- the assembled heads are the best of the picks -- we have found the bare head combos are seconds , seats just not right - flatness incorrect or even angles on gasket areas incorrect --- it s$cks i know we do it all the time -- it is what is being sold by all and not going to get better any time soon - we buy assembled heads just for the good cores sell the junk on e bay and replace with top of the line stuff, studs, valves, springs retainers keys - all of it -- its more money but its what it takes to get the good stuff today -- jz

this is excellent info. so you are saying buy assembled heads, disassemble and reassemble with the good stuff?

HardcoreZ28 · 07-24-2007, 07:27 AM

Well after speaking with a customer service rep at AFR yesterday they do apparently use ARP studs now but they aren't labeled as such. They had me send some pictures over and it sounds like they may be helpful. I'll keep you guys updated.

Fast92RS · 07-24-2007, 08:24 AM

What AFR heads did you buy? I just bought mine about a month ago I got the 195cc street eliminators

HardcoreZ28 · 07-24-2007, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fast92RS

What AFR heads did you buy? I just bought mine about a month ago I got the 195cc street eliminators

Same ones as you

camaroracer1992 · 07-24-2007, 08:46 AM

so whats the turn around time on those things, etc?

1QWIKBIRD · 08-02-2007, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnjzjz

The lesson (which sucks to learn this way) is buy the heads bare and put the good stuff in them yourself, its certainly no guarantee, but at least you have done all you can.

that is not true as well -- the assembled heads are the best of the picks -- we have found the bare head combos are seconds , seats just not right - flatness incorrect or even angles on gasket areas incorrect --- it s$cks i know we do it all the time -- it is what is being sold by all and not going to get better any time soon - we buy assembled heads just for the good cores sell the junk on e bay and replace with top of the line stuff, studs, valves, springs retainers keys - all of it -- its more money but its what it takes to get the good stuff today -- jz

That's interesting........and good info too.