Well it's been an entire year now.
Back in September I spent deal of time on the phone and hooked up by computer with very concerned but ultimately unsuccessful tech at S&S. We tweeked the program, cleaned up some "clutter". Bupkis.
Last November I, with great reluctance, took off the heads and sent them to the well regarded local machinist. The intake valves were leaking. Why this should be happening to a motor with only 18k on it is a mystery neither S&S nor Malvern have any comment on. S&S heads need a unique porting rig which was, of course, back ordered from China. When this precious item finally arrived it was revealed that S&S has discontinued the valve guide seals for the XWedge. The work around for this, the "current solution", as S&S calls it, is new springs and guide seals, $285.
This, sadly, reminds me of when the cam belt failed from too much desert heat. I was recommended the "heat conversion". For three- hundred plus bucks I was provided with a new pair of idlers I didn't need, a new belt tensioner I didn't need, a new belt, and key to it all, four 2mm aluminum flat washers to place between the cam chest cover and the engine block. These last to provide an air vent to the belt. Hands down the most expensive washers ever. Least I hope so.
Anybody out there got a line on the old guides with the built in shim? The "current solution" replacement springs are, of course, back ordered until May.
