Interesting story about INDY cylinder heads.

[illfish]

Well, the hemi made pretty good numbers but was down on horsepower.  It made close to 7 but we expected 750 to 800.  I tore it down to see what was wrong and found the rockers smoked!  I called Russ, the owner of INDY, and he basically blew me off.  I called one of the top cylinder head guys in the country and he told me that the oil passage is too small in the heads and that the bushing material is inferior.  He said that people that buy the INDY stuff send the rockers out to be rebushed with quality stuff and that the oil passage is opened up in the head.  He felt that it was just something that had to be done.  When I was at the PRI show in Orlando, alot of vendors told me that the hemi's had oiling problems and that's what keeps INDY in business on the Hemi end!  People need to keep coming back for more parts.  Anyway. . . the motor is apart and will be freshened.  I might have T and D make a rocker system for me as they seem pretty reasonable.  These are just my experiences with INDY and should not be taken as slander or defamation.  I wouldn't want INDY coming after me

[dart4406]

Ole Russ Over At Indy Cylinder Heads Has A History Of "Just Blowing People Off." I Think He Forgets Who The Hell Buys This Stuff He's Pedaling. Quality Of Their Parts Has Been Off For Some Time.

[dart_man440]

Throughout the last couple of years I keep hearing the same story.  It amazes me that a company like that can stay in business.  You would think that with their prices they could afford to sell a better product, needless to say, at least good customer service!  My take on any enterprise that does that!

[flyboy01]

I called Indy last Spring looking for a set of 440EZ cylinder heads and had some questions, the guy I talked seemed annoyed that I was asking questions and was only intersted in getting my credit card number. The whole call lasted about 3 minutes, and I decided never to buy anything from them, ever. To top it off, I heard so many horror stories from different forms, that really scared me off. As an exact opposite, 440 source took the time to answer questions and did not pressure me in any way, its a class act. I can also say the same about these guys:

My personal "best of the best" list:

440source
Summit Racing
Wayne Calvert Racing Engines
Mancini Racing
Koffels Place
Nebraska Hot Rod
Eastwood
Ramchargers
O'Reiley's
Year One
Paddock
English Color
Tire Rack
Monicatti Chrysler

[318_Magnum]

I just can't wait until 440Source releases those heads!

[chryco]

The new rocker system will be well worth it.
   Chryco

[Ciscodog]

Think about it this way... an organization that hires Herb McCandless can't be too concerned with customer service.  Tremendous knowledge, zero social skills.

[Bobgriffithiii]

Dec. 15, 2007 08:55 AM EST: GEEZ; It seems that Indy Cylinder Heads tends to Blow everybody off ! I had the same experience, Humm [Its funny as Mopar Collectors Guide says they will not run vendors advertisements if they receive several complaints about a vendor! Maybe its time to test their policy and see if they would accept our fax complaints about Indy Cylinder Heads??]
I have a brand new Hemi  with custom & coated Pistins from Diamond, custom Solid roller cam from Comp Cams, (which is another smart ass group of people to deal with but that's another story!)built by Kevin Willis at Performance Engines in Auburndale FL. He has a large Mopar following and is clearly knowledgeable in building race motors and I see his Name and Picture in Mopar Muscle Magazine almost every Month. Nice Guy too with a great clean shop and soon to have on line an in house Super-Flow 901 Engine Dyno ! However, we were both extremely disappointed recently at the LOW-HORSE POWER OUTPUT when we ran my 578 Hemi with the Indy Cylinder 421-1A Heads. The number sucked in the Low-600 HP. According to the proven engine build software, the Hemi should on a bad day made at least 770-HP and an average of 840-HP. I am now going to check the Rockers as we have had running problems since it was put in the car.

[dangerdawg]

welcome newbie.

[jimmyb]

When I first started to do mine it almost had a set of indy heads.After some research I am glad it does not.I have stageV with stageV rocker gear. My understanding is you buy indys stuff through a dealer not direct.

Bob  how soon will that dyno be available?

[dart4406]

I Wouldn't Buy A Valve Cover From Indy Heads...Rude...Rude People...After They Have Your Money! I'm On The List To Get A New Set Of The 440Source Alum Heads!

[illfish]

Welcome Bobgriffithii.  I'm pretty sure you'll find those rockers are sucking up alot of power.  I took all mine completely apart yesterday and found them to be smoked.  They transfered bronze to the rocker shafts.  The funny thing is that I'm running low spring pressure. 140# closed and 350# open. 

Chryco.  You're right.  I should have sprung for the better rockers instead of running them.  It would have caused alot less grief.  T&D said they'll make me a set for around $3,000 or I can buy a set like yours from my buddy that has them used from his boss's old superstock hemi car.  I'm not sure on the used stuff as they were running stuff in the 800+ lift range. 

[Bobgriffithiii]

When I first started to do mine it almost had a set of indy heads.After some research I am glad it does not.I have stageV with stageV rocker gear. My understanding is you buy indys stuff through a dealer not direct.

Bob  how soon will that dyno be available?

I do not know if your are in the Central FL area I.E. Tampa, Lakeland, Auburndale, Winter Haven, Orlando or not. However, the Dyno According to Kevin Willis should be on line within the next 10-days barring any delay. Certainly you could call him Mondays through Fridays at 863-967-7881.

[outlawdemon]

ray bartons,is the same way,but thats the only place you can the t&d.t&d cant even sell them to you.they are nice rockers .3500 dollars.
                                                                                                                           john

[chryco]

Welcome Bobgriffithii.  I'm pretty sure you'll find those rockers are sucking up alot of power.  I took all mine completely apart yesterday and found them to be smoked.  They transfered bronze to the rocker shafts.  The funny thing is that I'm running low spring pressure. 140# closed and 350# open. 

Chryco.  You're right.  I should have sprung for the better rockers instead of running them.  It would have caused alot less grief.  T&D said they'll make me a set for around $3,000 or I can buy a set like yours from my buddy that has them used from his boss's old superstock hemi car.  I'm not sure on the used stuff as they were running stuff in the 800+ lift range. 

I almost made the same mistake. Before my current Hemi came up for sale I was going to go the same route as you and over a period of time assemble an Indy Hemi.
   YIKES !
    Best of luck with the new set up , should be ZERO problems with alignment etc.....
        Chryco

[65 Hemi]

Anyone that's even considering buying any parts from Indy needs to take a trip over the moparts site and just type in Indy issues into the search.  You'll get a freakin' novel regarding problems with parts, and their "stellar" customer service.  There's a guy on the site there Eddie (Elvis) Miller who can really tell you in very detailed terms about Indy product and sales.  He's got one of the fastest street Mopars in the U.S., and a pretty darn good engine builder.  When I got my hemi, I was carefull to pick one with Stage V heads and valve train, and no Indy parts on it.  Best of luck illfish with your rebuild, and sorry for the problems you've had. 

[MVRCorp]

Humm [Its funny as Mopar Collectors Guide says they will not run vendors advertisements if they receive several complaints about a vendor! Maybe its time to test their policy and see if they would accept our fax complaints about Indy Cylinder Heads??]

Link sent 

[illfish]

I think in bare form, the heads and block are going to work o.k.  Their valvetrain is junk though and since my last post have spoke to alot of people who had problems with their small block stuff too.  With so many other companies out there, why would anyone use INDY anymore.  I mean World makes the new hemi block.  KB is doing heads as is Stage V. 

[A13Dart]

When I first started to do mine it almost had a set of indy heads.After some research I am glad it does not.I have stageV with stageV rocker gear.

Not sure about now, but at one time the stage V rockers were the best on the market by far.

[65 Hemi]

Here's a pic of my setup in my coronet.

[chryco]

Humm [Its funny as Mopar Collectors Guide says they will not run vendors advertisements if they receive several complaints about a vendor! Maybe its time to test their policy and see if they would accept our fax complaints about Indy Cylinder Heads??]

Link sent 

I`d be curious what Rob Wolf would have to say off the record about the Flagles. We all know of course Indy probably has the advertising $ though.

[MVRCorp]

True...........good test of MCG integrity. Don't forget Indy's $'s are "our" bucks.

[dusterdarryl]

surly the guys from Indy read posts like this ? if it were my shop I would and would change my tune, it does semm to be a continuing saga that puts me off using anymore of their products,

[65 Hemi]

Like I said guys, this scenario has been played out time and time again on the moparts site.  Same deal with Russ and the rest of the crew giving their super customer service.  I really have not figured out how these guys stay in business with all the negative publicity regarding them.   

[daniel_depetro]

I do not have the money to buy INDY products, nor will I anytime soon.
Even if I stumble upon a nice bunch of money it surely will not goto Barton or INDY.

[chryco]

surly the guys from Indy read posts like this ? if it were my shop I would and would change my tune, it does semm to be a continuing saga that puts me off using anymore of their products,

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA ................................................................................................................................................!!!!

[chryco]

I do not have the money to buy INDY products, nor will I anytime soon.
Even if I stumble upon a nice bunch of money it surely will not goto Barton or INDY.

Do tell.........................

[indyghost]

HELLO EVERYONE , I'VE BEEN REGISTERED FOR A WHILE BUT I JUST KIND OF LURKED AROUND TILL NOW . I HAVE TO SAY I HAVE INDY'S 440 -1'S AND MY DAD OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS BOUGHT THEIR 345 CNC'S AND A COMPLETE 500" SHORT BLOCK READY TO GO . WELL LONG STORY SHORT WE GOT EVERYTHING TOGETHER AND TOOK HIS CAR OUT . 5TH PASS ON THE MOTOR @ THE 900 FT MARK THE MOTOR EXITED A FREEZE PLUG IN THE BACK OF THE BLOCK , AND HE HIT THE GUARD RAIL @ 130+ AND TORE THE FRONT END OF HIS CAR TO HELL .COME TO FIND OUT BESIDES THE FREEZE PLUG WE LOST THERE WERE TWO OTHER FREEZE PLUGS CROOKED IN THE MOTOR(INDY INSTALLED THEM). WE CHECKED THE BLOCK AND EVERYTHING IS FINE BUT THE FREEZE PLUGS WERE NOT . SO SINCE MY DAD HAS SPEND A SHIT LOAD OF MONEY WITH THEM HE CALLED THEM AND ASKED ABOUT IT . THEY TOOK ALMOST TWO WEEKS BEFORE GETTING BACK TO HIM AND THEN THAY GAVE HIME A BULL SHIT LINE SAYING HE BLEW A HEAD GASKET ON A WATER JACKET AND THATS WHY THE FREEZE PLUGS WERE COMING OUT DUE TO CYLINDER PRESSURE COMING INTO THE WATER SYSTEM AND SAID WE USED FAULTY HEAD GASKETS . WE WERE A LITTLE SUPRISED WITH THAT ANSWER DUE TO RUSS FLAGLE WAS THE ONE THAT RECOMENDED THE HEAD GASKETS WE WERE RUNNING . WELL WE THEN ASKED WHY IT DIDN'T BLOW ANY OF THE HOSES OR HAVE ANY WATER IN THE OVER FLOW (DUE TO ALOT OF PRESSURE IN THE WATER SYSTEM) AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE SO NOW IT IS TIME TO GET LEGAL ON THEIR ASSES TO FIX THEIR PROBLEM. WE CHECKED AND HAVE CONSISTENT COMPRESSION IN ALL CYLINDERS AND NONE ARE DOWN. ALL I KNOW IS IM DONE WITH INDY NO MATTER WHAT  ..

[ski]

r u o k?  caps off take a breath.  relax...........1 2 3 4 5     another breath ...... aaahhhh.....

[indyghost]

Ya now im good , but unhappy how they made excuses instead of action..my bad on caps ..

[dusterdarryl]

dont feel alone, Iv got some of their products (S/Rs) that are brand new out of the box,   Iv put them strait back in the box and closed the top off, not sure I can use them with out detroment to my existing assembly, sure makes my eddy heads look good thats for sure

[illfish]

they always find the fault in the owner of their products.  That's a Russ trademark.

[flyboy01]

I think EVERY mopar forum has an "Indy is Bad" thread on it.

[illfish]

I was really stupid to use their stuff.  At the time, Keith Black had one of their block machining tools down for 6 months and no one could get the Stage V heads.  I called INDY and, surprise, they had all their stuff on the shelf.  Now I've got these problems and World has their hemi block out and Stage V's are readily available.  Hate to say it but it's my own damn fault.