Who has shipped cast iron heads and how did you do it????
 

Hi,

I am looking for advice on how to ship a set of Pontiac cast iron heads. I figure I would use either Fedex or UPS, but was wondering what is the best way to package the heads so not to get damaged when shipping them.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as this is my first time shipping something this heavy.

Thanks in advance for your help,
Mark

Just double wraped them in cardboard and shipped fedex ground

I had some perfect size boxes from work I'm thinking it was 26x12x8 or something like that. I put wood under the heads and a scrap piece of 2x4 wood in the top of the box to strengthen it if set down upside down. Fed Ex no problem.

UPS shipped a pair of heads to me from California about 7 years ago, I only got one head and all attempts to get info on their lost package system failed. Since then they have lost my business.

Thanks, that helps me out a lot.

Will use Fedex and wrap in cardboard or maybe box with wood for support. I will have to see what I have in boxes, but wrapping in cardboard will work easier for me as I have lots of that.

Thanks again,
Mark

Go to your local high performance machine shop. They probably have some Edelbrock or other brand head boxes laying around.

That's what I've done many times.

Thanks, I didn't think of that.

Mark

I built boxes out of OSB sheet and furring strips with decking screws. Cardboard just isn't study enough for that weight IMO.

Roll them up in corrugated cardboard, I use at least 4 layers. If shipping assembled with valves and studs I use either a wood stick or tightly rolled-up cardboard to add support in that area, as seen in the photo below.

Shipped numerous sets this way, never an issue.

I recently shipped a pair of bare '69 RAIV castings and they arrived in perfect condition as expected. This method works great for both $300.00 & $3,000.00 sets of heads, use it with confidence.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q...s.jpg~original

I've shipped a bunch of heads and never had any damage.

If you have access to some place where electronics equipment is sold, find stryofom end caps for something like a computer or piece of electronics about the thickness of a cylinder head. I had access to foam end caps used to ship Dell desk top computers at my work. I take the end cap and cut it in half to shorten or lengthen it as needed to wrap around the head. I use two of them, then wrap packing tape to hold them to the head. I find a heavy duty box roughly sized to the wrapped head, toss in some packing peanuts to fill any empty voids, and ship it via Fed Ex Ground.

I had a set of 64s shipped to me, they were wrapped in two layers of cardboard. The moron at UPS dropped the head on the landing to my house and cracked the boss where the a/c bracket mounts. I had a heck of a time collecting for damages.

I hate UPS.

A rule of thumb is that the heavy item and your package should survive a drop to a concrete floor from table height. Smaller and lighter packages need to survive being thrown 40 feet into the back of a semi trailer. If you put the word "Fragile" on the package you are just giving them a challenge.

Thanks for the visual, that really helps because I was wondering how to do the sides and the rocker stud and valve area.

Thanks again,
Mark

I have them both wrapped and ready to ship.

Thanks again for all the help.

Mark

Bingo!
 

I also slice the sides as I roll (4 layers) them and use a rubber mallet to knock them in. Bolting a set of junk valve covers helps also. I write the "to" address under the taped on one "just" in case. I used to shrink wrap them also in case they got wet the cardboard wouldn't deteriorate. This is quite the workout, but better than a phone call that they were damaged. :eek:

Yep, you do have to fold in the ends after slicing them. I do this after rolling it all up and taping it securely, then the ends get folded in and I do the final taping.

It's a bit of a workout as you say, but it's really the safest way to ship using either UPS or FedEx ground.

A wood crate would easily be damaged if dropped, and the shipping companies prefer cardboard packaging. The key is to use enough layers, 4 or 5 at the very least. Two layers is not nearly enough to endure any rough handling.

I've shipped at least a couple dozen sets using this method with nary an issue or complaint.

I have shipped a couple sets of heads using this method also.

That's the trick, roll them up and fold in the ends. Boxes & crates will allow them to move, the roll method is like wrapping them in padding.

I just built a wood crate that the fit in tight. No issues.

Yep, bought a pair from Gary H. and that's how they came was in old head boxes no problems :clap3:

If the other end is a business address the shipping will be cheaper if you use Fedex ground, if it is a residence then the shipping will be a lot more.

burrito wrap
 

Just burrito wrap them and use 3M tape, the strong stuff, a lot of it.
Greg