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TR6 TR6 valve reality check

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TR6oldtimer

TR6oldtimer

Darth Vader
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Stellite vs hardened valves, for an engine that will eventually have a GP2 cam, 9.5 compression ratio. My experience with valves on a stock engine is that the originals worked just fine. Now I know the old saying that you get what you pay for, but with stellite at almost twice the price does it really matter?
 
Hi Ray,
I can only relate my experience.

When I purchased my TR6 it had some engine problems but I wanted to drive a few miles before deciding what to do.
I removed the head and had a very reputable shop do a valve job. The thought was to get the car going with as little expense as possible but also have a valve job that would be good enough that if/when I built mu engine it would not need to be done again.

I drove less than 2 thousand miles before deciding to do a complete engine build. Just to be safe I had the head torn down and found the exhaust valve seats pitted.

Before deciding what to do I thought some research needed to be done so I asked many people why that happened. The most reasonable answer is as follows.

The original valve seats are part of the casting. They were either flame or induction hardened. This hardening was uneven from head to head and even hole to hole. Consequently there is no way of knowing if even a single valve grind will not go through the hardened portion of the head. Some had plenty for a few valve jobs and some did not.

Being basically lazy, I decided to install hardened seats for the exhaust only and all new hard valves in all the holes.

I did not install hardened seats for the intakes as well for two reasons. first they do not get so hot and felt they would be fine and decided not to spend the money. The second reason is that it seemed to me that the intake and exhaust seats would have been much to close for my comfort and because I then had more room I had heavier seats put in for the exhaust valves. I feel it was better all around.
 
Ray,

I would tend to agree with you. I have the hardened seats and "standard replacement" valves on the exhaust / intake. HOWEVER, these were valves that the machine shop got for me and he uses only top quality, made in USA parts. I don't know if the parts coming in today from overseas are as good as your original valves.
 
Thanks Paul, I think I will let the guy who is doing the heads, order what he thinks works best(he has done British cars). Otherwise, no guarantee...
 
That's exactly the way that I felt. Not worth any potential issues that might develop.

Good Luck!!
 
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