Intake Valve Issue - Potential Problems and Solutions?

[slaughterj]

Summarizing the ongoing concerns regarding the intake valve issue:
1. Concerns over the availability of a local tech to perform the work
2. Concerns over the ability of the local tech to perform the work properly
3. Concerns over whether the vehicle will be restored to factory-equivalent condition
4. Concerns over incidental damage to the vehicle, either dings, debris in the engine, etc.
5. Concerns over the perceived market value of the vehicles with this fix

Summarizing potential solutions to the aforementioned concerns:
1. Shipping techs to regions/regional centers to perform the work
2. Shipping the vehicles to CAAP for the work

Have I missed any of the previously stated concerns or solutions? Please be succinct.

 

[Janni]

Shipping complete head assemblies to be swapped. (Then the returned head assemblies could be refurbished by the SAME PEOPLE that build the heads at CAAP) and reused in the next head swap procedure. (Which we infer was the procedure that the quarantined cars underwent at the off-site facility.)

Folks agree that the heads are not bad, but the concern is that the valve swap procedure is complex and there is some measuring / shimming, etc. that should be involved.... Who better to do this that the factory.

I know - not succinct...

I believe solution #1 would be reasonable. My guess is that between Tom Sessions, Rick Maxwell and Eddie Martin (sorry if I am forgetting anyone, but these guys are all very good and I believe sincethey work on race cars, hold their work to a higher level than anyone else when it comes to extreme use and tight tolerances - they understand the importance of these things), the entire valve issue could be handled professionally by breaking the country into thirds and sending them around. Viper owners also usually have access to a better working environment than many local dealerships. When we did our "recall day" we had access to a brand new race shop owned by a generous VCA member. Much less chance for issues with contamination, scratches or the other issues folks have pointed out here.

 

[knuk]

Jani, remember that there are cars outside of the US as well! What about us??

 

[Janni]

I think they'll still let Eddie, Tom and Rick into canada..... Probably should have said break the US and Canada into thrids, or added a good Canadian Tech (?) but my expertise is limited here....