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Lead-Free Cylinder Heads
- Thread starter rustynuts
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Re: leadfree cylinder heads
Hello Rusty, many years ago (about 18 to 20) I was concerned with the same question for my Corvette engine. After reading many articles and listening to many opinions it was the general concenses that lead free gasoline would need about 50,000 miles at least to damage valves and valve seats in an engine which was designed for leaded gasoline. this was confirmed thru then current test in some respected motor magazines. The general feeling was that many collector cars would never see an additional 50k on the odometer. So I like many elected to not change my valves and seats. As it would yeld no benefit to our motoring. Now 20 years later my Corvette engine has never been torn down and still lights the tires up at will. I have put about 35,000 miles on it in the last 20years. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
Hello Rusty, many years ago (about 18 to 20) I was concerned with the same question for my Corvette engine. After reading many articles and listening to many opinions it was the general concenses that lead free gasoline would need about 50,000 miles at least to damage valves and valve seats in an engine which was designed for leaded gasoline. this was confirmed thru then current test in some respected motor magazines. The general feeling was that many collector cars would never see an additional 50k on the odometer. So I like many elected to not change my valves and seats. As it would yeld no benefit to our motoring. Now 20 years later my Corvette engine has never been torn down and still lights the tires up at will. I have put about 35,000 miles on it in the last 20years. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
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I have heard from several reliable sources that such work is unnecessary unless you're planning to use it for competition or for lots and lots of miles, such as a vintage race car that you also use as your daily grocery-getter. Of course opinions may differ, and several mechanics, working at $XX per hour, may strongly recommend that you employ them to perform this job...
Keoke
Great Pumpkin
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Re: leadfree cylinder heads
[ QUOTE ]
Its only the valve guides need replacing!, a few $'s, but the labor cost to do it!
[/ QUOTE ]
HI ZBLU,the valve guides do not have to be changed as part of a non leaded head conversion if they are it is the owners choice. The pricipal components effected if any are the valves themselves and their seats.---Fwiw---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
[ QUOTE ]
Its only the valve guides need replacing!, a few $'s, but the labor cost to do it!
[/ QUOTE ]
HI ZBLU,the valve guides do not have to be changed as part of a non leaded head conversion if they are it is the owners choice. The pricipal components effected if any are the valves themselves and their seats.---Fwiw---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
Re: leadfree cylinder heads
I basically heard the same thing when I did the 327. It has 461 heads and I have kept the car as it would have been built ( which it was) in the 70's. The seats and valves in the 283 that was in the car when I bought it where screwed so the decission to rebuild was not an option. Glad I did .
What year of vette do you have?
I basically heard the same thing when I did the 327. It has 461 heads and I have kept the car as it would have been built ( which it was) in the 70's. The seats and valves in the 283 that was in the car when I bought it where screwed so the decission to rebuild was not an option. Glad I did .
What year of vette do you have?
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Re: leadfree cylinder heads
Rusty, I have a 1970 Corvette. It's a 350/350hp, completely original with the hydralic cam. Just one step up from the base engine, but it is one of the last of the non-emissioned engines. I've had this e-mail address and internet handle for probably 12 years or better. Couldn't bring myself to change it just because I bought a Healey a few years ago. The Healey was a car that I've wanted for 35 years or more. The way I see it, I've got the best of both worlds now, American power, and British touring.
Rusty, I have a 1970 Corvette. It's a 350/350hp, completely original with the hydralic cam. Just one step up from the base engine, but it is one of the last of the non-emissioned engines. I've had this e-mail address and internet handle for probably 12 years or better. Couldn't bring myself to change it just because I bought a Healey a few years ago. The Healey was a car that I've wanted for 35 years or more. The way I see it, I've got the best of both worlds now, American power, and British touring.
