Does anyone have a link to one. I know ive read one before but can't find it now. Even google is shrugging. thanks for the help in advance.

 

sorry to bring this from so far back but i blew my head gasket and i wanna open the head up while its off. i need a guide with a list of tools and pictures

 

I think this is what you are looking for.

http://minicooperheadporting.info/

 

That's an advertisement, not a guide....

There was a thread somewhere--I THINK it was here--where someone did a DIY port and polish a head, showed it step by step, with a ton of pictures, and for the life of me I can't find it.

But you'll want to flow test it and all that fun stuff, if you're going that route.

 

It is not an advertisement.
It is an explanation of the do's and don'ts of porting a MINI Cooper head.
I suggest to read it and grasp what it tells you.
Porting is a science.
Understanding the flow dymamics of air thru a camber is not for the faint of heart.
You can't port a head correctly looking at pictures.
Unless you want to make a very large aluminum paperweight.
Most porting nowdays is done by 3 or 4 axis milling machines.
This assures that each chamber is matched to the same capicity as the other.

 

Yes, it's an advertisement (or at least part of one) for Thumper heads on Autoxcooper's site. That's ok, Mike does good work, and he might give the original poster helpful tips on porting, polishing, valves, and springs. But THAT is not a guide,which is what the original poster wanted. You don't have to suggest I read it--I've read that a long, long time ago.

Somewhat ironically, since you brought up the 3 and 4 axis milling machines, the funny thing is Mike, who wrote most of that, and has been doing headwork for years, doesn't CNC his heads--which is fine, if you know what you're doing it can be done that way by hand--in which case it is both an art and a science.


It can (and has) been done, and pictures/measurements CAN help, if you know what you're doing in the first place. Might not be a bad idea for the original poster to contact Mike (thumper heads); he might be willing to help.

Anyway, if you're going to tackle a project like this, I'd buy a used head, so you can take your time. If you can find someone who can help you with flow testing, it would be a cool project.