I would like to purchase a set of small block heads from a member located on the East Coast and I am in Texas. We both have some concerns on how to ship these without causing damage to the heads and valves. Have any members sent large items such as heads without damage? Can they be boxed with cardboard and bubble wrap or is it necessary to enclose them in a crate?
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Re: Shipping Small Block Heads
You have a number of options.... First, if these are 'core' heads, there's not a lot of need to protect the valves, valve springs and rockers/studs. So, 'roll packing' works very well. That's where you lay a sheet of cardboard down, place the cyl head on top of the cardboard, then roll the head to wrap the cardboard around the outside surface a few times. Cut & fold the ends and tape the pack with shipping tape. It'll scoot across country by air or surface without a hiccup!
Now, if the head is a fully machined, complete assy, that's a horsie of a different color. Here, you need to SOLIDLY protect the upper end moving parts (valves, springs, rockers) from damage in transit. There are basically two alternatives....
(1) Build yourself a wooden crate to surround the head so it CAN'T move/shift in transit.
(2) Reuse existing pack materials specifically designed for a cylinder head of your outline dimension (SB vs. BB; Chevy vs. Ford). Frequently, a call to local machine shop(s) will quickly yield a discarded box from Edlebrook (Etc.) that was used to ship in a replacement cylinder head. These will be cardboard boxes BUT they'll have well engineered foam-in-place liners to absorb shock/vibration in transit. -
Re: Shipping Small Block Heads
Thanks, Jack. They are complete heads, but they will need to be pulled apart and sent to a shop upon arrival to me.Comment
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Re: Shipping Small Block Heads
Tim,
I allways make a crate for them. If I had access to a foam in place machine. I would probably use that. I just make the crates out of 1/2" plywood and 2x2's, and screw them together with deck screws. I have allways be wary of just straight cardboard, If they were dropped, no let me rephrase that, WHEN they are dropped, I think that they would come right out of the box.
Regards, John McGrawComment
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foam in place
You can use heavy plastic garbage bags and squirt some expanding foam insulation into them. They'll fill up nicely. While still soft, pack the bags around the parts and when they harden you're set.Comment
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Re: Shipping Small Block Heads
I had a pair of finished heads shipped to me and the seller used a garbage bag, packing peanuts, and a cardboard box. When I opened my door to take the package I knew I was in trouble because a rocker stud and part of a spring was portruding from the box. Luckily I got off with only having to replace a bent valve and a cracked valve guide.
The foam idea sounds great. I've shipped heads twice and built bubba-like crates with drywall screws and duck tape.
Brian
oh yeah --- I spent a long time picking oily packing peanuts out of the portsComment
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Re: Shipping Small Block Heads
I get a box that will accept the head with about an inch +/- to spare and then cut a piece of light plywood to fit.
Then I run a couple of carrige bolts up through the head bolt holes at each end to keep it from moving around and nut/washer them down tight.
I then place a trash bag in the box and place the mated head and plywood in the bag.
I then fill the surround air gap with expandible foam right up to the top.
The pressure from the fom causes a natural overlap that holds the head down when the flaps are closed.
Let it harden up, trim off the excess and that's it.
ChuckComment
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Re: Shipping Small Block Heads
I would cut a piece of 1/4 or 1/2 inch plywood and wire the face of the head to the plywood. Run the wire though the large bolt holes and then right through the plywood. I would make large loops and tie the wire on the plywood side. You will have to drill some holes in the plywood. This will keep it from sliding around. I would do this in several places. I would then put them into individual boxes. Use a well fitted stiff box and fill with peanuts or go to one of those professional shippers and get some of those little bags that expand with foam inside of them. Consider wrapping them in plastic before pouring the peanuts. If you pour the peanuts around the springs and studs that shoud be adequate protection. I would consider putting another piece of thin plywood on top of all that before you close the lid. Use lots of clear packing tape and you should be fine. That what I would do if I cared about them. Good luck, TerryComment
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Re: Shipping Small Block Heads
Tim: if you go the expanding foam route, I would suggest putting the head in a plastic bag or wrapping it with plastic before putting it in a plastic bag and foaming it. it will be a lot easier to clean up when you get them.
As for shipping them, look into Greyhound if there is a terminal near you and the person who is shipping them. Their rates are hard to beat.Comment
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Re: Shipping Small Block Heads
if there are any engine building shops near the shipper check there because they buy new heads all the time and they come in GM boxes make for shipping heads.Comment
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