Shipping Cylinder Heads?

[Rob Howell]

Hello everyone,

What is the best way to ship cylinder heads? I am assuming Fedex ground or UPS is probably the best method for those of us without a commercial account.

What is the best way to pack a big block head? I was thinking of wrapping the head in foam padding, then puting it tightly in a card board box.

Thoughts? Thanks!

[Steven B.]

Re: Shipping Cylinder Heads?

I had two heads shipped to me from Chicago to Maryland and they were packed just as you described. Since they are so heavy, get the strongest and thickest cardboard box you can. the basic store-bought boxes are not thick enough. Since you are shipping a 40 lb piece of steel, if it isn't packed tight, it will shift in the box and break through the sides. Also, tape your name and address along with your phone number to the heads themselves just in case they become separated from the box. It's also better to ship them together with their faces together and then bury them in bubble wrap and squeeze them into a tight box. Then write HEAVY on the box so the UPS guy doesn't get a hernia thinking its just another box. They should make it no problem.

[Steven B.]

Re: Shipping Cylinder Heads?

Rob: Another thing instead of bubble wrap is the foam you talked about-just tape it inside of it and it should be fine.

[John D.]

Re: Shipping Cylinder Heads?

Rob, You need a special label on the package for 70#'s and over. Also I would double box the heads and have the outer box wrapped big time with the black plastic bands. Also staple the box. UPS Ground rates for say 90#'s in a box that is not oversize are: 28.13 for zone 2 to 48.92 for zone 8. The USA has 8 zones. That's wholesale cost. Expect to pay about twice that in a store. Insurance extra.
I see guys shipping valve covers in a box just big enough to hold the pair of covers and then wonder why they have extra gouges on them. John D.

[Don Izzo]

Re: Shipping Cylinder Heads?

Rob, I, like many here am in the mail order business. I just had UPS reject a $950.00 damage claim because according to THEIR guidelines, My 275# test (bursting strength) double wall corrugated carton with a 275# test interior liner wasn't sufficent packaging for my 86lb. carton! READ THEIR SHIPPING GUIDELINES FIRST! Then pack ONE head per carton, if they loseor damage one, hell it's only one not both! INSURE THE PACKAGE! I would put the head in a plastic bag, place the bagged head in a large enough box to allow you to then fill all around the head with "expanding foam insulation" the kind you can get at the home depot in spray cans. This restricts shifting and cushions better. I would even consider mounting the head to a piece of 1X6" or 1X8" pine board longer and wider than the head to insure if dropped the edges are better protected. Then follow all the suggestions in the prior posts and you should be good to go. Oh..and be sure to mark the carton "FRAGILE DO NOT DROP" on every side!

Don

[Clem Z.]

Re: Shipping Cylinder Heads?

check with speed shops and engine rebuilders in your area and see if they have any boxes they received heads in from their suppliers.

[Gary J.]

Re: Shipping Cylinder Heads

Why not build a wooden crate for them to fit in with it screwed together real good.

Gary Jaynes
#3503

[Ray C.]

Re: Shipping Cylinder Heads

I received my 461X heads in plywood boxes that were inserted into a heavy weight cardboard box. Because of the package weight they were packaged separately.

Ray

[Chuck R.]

Re: Shipping Cylinder Heads

I sent two heads coast to coast as follows.

1) I cut two pieces of plywood just larger than each head.

2)I lightly sprayed each head with WD-40 and wiped them down.

3) I then bagged each head and taped them off tight.

4) I then wrapped each head in bubble wrap again taping them off tight

5) I bolted each head to the plywood pieces

6) I attached my contact number to each head

6) I then took cardboard and wrapped/cut it to fit each head

7) I addressed each carton along with the words "HEAVY" on each side

It took a grand total of an hour to get them both packaged up.

I'd be inclined to locate an "engine builder" to possibly find empty boxes though.

Chuck

[Mike G.]

Re: Shipping Cylinder Heads?

i just got a nice pair of 391 heads shipped to me form chicago to atlanta. they were 89 lbs each. they took them to the ups store and let them pack them. they were shipped for $256.00 for the 2 boxed. they got to me just fine. now i just need a 67 corvette to put them on. hopefully one day i can solve this problem.

[Brian Monticello]

Re: Shipping Cylinder Heads?

I've shipped two sets and in both cases I built wooden frames with 2x4s. The wood was tightly secured around the heads together (face to face seperated by heavy foam). I then enclosed the frames in double walled cardboard and applied LOTS of tape. The packages were not pretty but they were SOLID.

It think the UPS store cost me $90. The other time I believe I used fed ex (non retail) and it cost me somewhere around $50.

One time somebody shipped me a set with both heads in the same thin walled box. The heads were packed in peanuts in a plastic bag. Well, when I got home from work I saw the box on my step and saw a head portruding from the box. It had a bent valve and cracked valve guide. Plus the packing peanuts were up in the ports and since the seller sprayed everythin with oil, they were impossible to get out w/o tear down.

Brian

[Mike G.]

Re: Shipping Cylinder Heads?

my heads were taken to the ups store in chicago where they were boxed. 1 head per box. boxes and all packing material was $68.00. they charged $22.00 labor and the shipping to atlanta was $156.92. the total shipped was $251.34 insured for 4k. they got to me just fine in a few days.

[Terry F.]

Re: Shipping Cylinder Heads?

At a minimum...I take a strong piece of 1x6 or 1x8 plywood and cover the head surface. I found the best way to do this is to drill holes through the wood aligned with the head bolt holes. Then, I take wire and I tie the wood to the head in several locations by looping it though the holes and twisting it together on the sping side of the head. I then build the crate or box around the head as it is attached to the wood. I use this method for heavy items. Only way to go in my opinion. Mark the box as correct side up, etc. HO, Terry

[Terry F.]

Re: Shipping Cylinder Heads?

At a minimum...I take a strong piece of 1x6 or 1x8 plywood and cover the head surface. I found the best way to do this is to drill holes through the wood aligned with the head bolt holes. Then, I take wire and I tie the wood to the head in several locations by looping it though the holes and twisting it together on the sping side of the head. I then build the crate or box around the head as it is attached to the wood. I use this method for heavy items. Only way to go in my opinion. Mark the box as correct side up, etc. HO, Terry