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Frequently Asked Questions

Why a valve job at Short Block Charlie's?

We use the same machines the factory uses in their engine reconditioning program. We stock all parts necessary for cylinder head rebuilding. Our formed tool valve jobs increase flow as compared to standard three angle valve jobs.

SBC valve seats are of the type originally developed for propane applications. They are more wear resistant when using the new oxygenated fuels and more resistant to pounding out due to heavy seat loads with some high lift cams and springs.

Fast turn around, usually one day for standard valve jobs. We use the best valves, guides, seats and seals available. Our machinists have decades of experience in the motorcycle industry.

What is a formed tool valve job?

A formed tool valve job is a valve job where all the angles and / or radiuses of the valve seat are cut at one time. The angles of the valve seat are critical to airflow and the proprietary cutters designed by SBC over the years allow consistent and accurate repetition of valve seat shapes.
We use a state of the art Sunnen VGS20 cylinder head machine with digital setting fixtures to perform this operation.

What is a Vortec cylinder head?

Vortec Cylinder head as it relates to HD refers to a SBC proprietary intake runner design developed several years ago in collaboration with a retired GM engineer who worked with the GM Vortec head program and further refined with thoughts based on research performed by Joe Mondello.

A Vortec is welded and shaped in the intake runner and is intended to increase torque output. While the cross section of the port is smaller then stock it still manages to increase flow over stock while dramatically increasing flow velocity.

The exhaust ports are also shaped and reduced in cross section with an anti reversion dam that promotes flow velocity.

Simply put, the old line of thought that bigger is better is a thing of the past.