<VV> Seat Life WAS Valve Seats

[Ken Pepke]

Or driving harder!  Rate of acceleration is also a big factor ... Think anyone with a 140hp might like to feel it accelerate?  Think a 140hp might be able to climb a steep hill faster than a 95hp or a 110hp?

Ken P
Wyandotte, MI
Worry looks around; Sorry looks back, Faith looks up.

On May 11, 2012, at 1:00 AM, Ron wrote:

> Also, 140's have less coolant flow because the larger valves block some of the coolant flow area.  The power developed will be the same as with any other engine at the same speeds, however so you can't say that it's developing more power unless you're driving faster.
> RonH
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ken Pepke" <kenpepke at juno.com>
> To: "Vair Views" <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
> Sent: Saturday, May 05, 2012 6:21 AM
> Subject: <VV> Seat Life WAS Valve Seats
> 
> 
>> 
>> Lon's thinking is still correct.  Inserted valve seat failure is neither an age nor a mileage condition.  A newly inserted valve seat starts its life from exactly the same place as an original that has not moved.  That is to say the newly installed seat has the same odds of failure as the unmoved original which it replaced.  Seat failure comes with excessive heat [or poor installation of a replacement.]   If a seat is replaced, it really needs to be of the higher press variety because removal of the original seat damages the head in the seat area.
>> 
>> Heads on a 140hp engine run hotter because they make more power, use more fuel while doing so, and produce more heat, so they have a greater chance of seat failure.  This frequently [but not always] happens on vacation such as a long trip to a Corvair meet.  These are times when the car is loaded, running faster than usual for prolonged periods of time and getting hotter than usual.
>> 
>> Bottom line:  The single most important factor in longevity of replacement valve seat inserts is the skill of the machinist.
>> 
>> Ken P
>> Wyandotte, MI
>> Worry looks around; Sorry looks back, Faith looks up.
>> 
>> ************************