valve seats

[Superwrench]

Did you guys have hardened valve seats installed in place of the original exhaust seats when doing top end of engine ? Bob

 

[roscoe]

Bob,
When I built my engine a few years ago, I had Ford valves and hardened seats put in. I had a machine shop do that, cleanand surface the head and block, oversize and hone the cylinders, and put in and broach the cam bushes. I sent the cam and crank out to be done, and did everything else myself (so truth be known I didn't "do it all myself"). 3000 miles and no problems to date. I'm no expert, but I spoke to some people who are.

 

[Superwrench]

Jon, Sounds like you did talk to experts. I guess the Ford valves give you a better valve for the money and better and cheaper keeper design also. I guess hardened seats is the way to go. We can't do it all ourselves. thanks, Bob

 

[big6]

Do you have the part number for the Ford exhaust valve that you used? What springs are installed?

 

[Keoke]

Well Bob, if you are going to drive your car hard then uprated valves and seats have been shown to be required.
On the other hand, simple sport driving of the car has not been shown to cause valve / seat erosion.--Fwiw--Keoke

 

[Superwrench]

Thanks Keoke !

 

[Superwrench]

Jon, What ford valves did they use ? I'm thinking out of the 240 or 300 inline six cylinder ? Thanks Big6 wants to know also Bob

 

[roscoe]

I used a machine shop in Stockton, CA that was recommended by British Car Specialists, I think it was Stockton Machine. I honestly don't know the part numbers used (that's what happens when you DON'T do it all yourself).

 

[Superwrench]

Thanks, I'll do some comparing let you guys know. Bob

 

[Keoke]

BOb:
The PO of my blue over white Healey did not know the difference between 0.12 Thousand and 0.012 so he set the valves to the latter. Consequently, I had to replace them as they were cooked. I used Olds 442 valves machined to be compatible with the Healey's valve stem hardware but only cleaned up the seats. --Fwiw-Keoke