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Re: C2 - Hardened valve seats in a SB engine
"The machinist that refurbished my engine told me that the installation of hardened valve seats increases the posibility of cracking the heads."
He's technically correct... But, any good machinest with skill and prior experience in cutting in hardened seats will LAUGH. The problems come from unskilled machinests doing the work and/or failing to properly strain relieve the head casting(s) prior to the installation of the seat(s).
Our shop builds/crews VR cars (vintage race) and we install hardened seats in 100% of the heads we touch using machinests with proven track record and we've NEVER had a water jacket leaker or post installation head crack in +30 years of doing business.
But, remember we're building HIGH PERFORMANCE engines build from the git-go for aggressive WOT use. As I said earlier, I agree with John Hinckley that this can be 'overkill' for a typical street machine/weekend warrior application and your machinest should guide you. He's the one who ultimately warranties the job!
On Clem's suggestion (use bigger valves), depending on the head/combustion chamber and current state of wear, you can wind up between a rock and a hard place with no room to run valves large enough for the situation....
"The machinist that refurbished my engine told me that the installation of hardened valve seats increases the posibility of cracking the heads."
He's technically correct... But, any good machinest with skill and prior experience in cutting in hardened seats will LAUGH. The problems come from unskilled machinests doing the work and/or failing to properly strain relieve the head casting(s) prior to the installation of the seat(s).
Our shop builds/crews VR cars (vintage race) and we install hardened seats in 100% of the heads we touch using machinests with proven track record and we've NEVER had a water jacket leaker or post installation head crack in +30 years of doing business.
But, remember we're building HIGH PERFORMANCE engines build from the git-go for aggressive WOT use. As I said earlier, I agree with John Hinckley that this can be 'overkill' for a typical street machine/weekend warrior application and your machinest should guide you. He's the one who ultimately warranties the job!
On Clem's suggestion (use bigger valves), depending on the head/combustion chamber and current state of wear, you can wind up between a rock and a hard place with no room to run valves large enough for the situation....
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