<VV> Valve seats

Thu May 3 16:31:59 EDT 2012

To all -  In 2 million miles of Corvair driving over 45 years - I have 
only lost 3 valve seats -   2 of them were in cars and engines that I 
had recently purchased (cheap)  and I had no idea what had happened to 
the engines before. The third was in my trip back from Bass Lake a 
number of years back where I lost my exhaust packing when I still had 
700 miles to get home. Of course I had a van full of parts for the swap 
meet but of course was carrying no packings.

I drove 700 miles on Interstate 5 with essentially an open exhaust - not 
good.  When I limped home the engine was totally destroyed - dropped 
valves seats was the least of my problems.

The point is - I still believe that EVERY valve seat failure can be 
prevented with a few basic rules. That essentially means that you don't 
have to lose valve seats - even in 140's.  (Keep in mind that new owners 
of Ultra Vans sometimes totally fried the motor within 200 miles of the 
factory because of very poor driving habits - and that was with NEW 
Corvair motors.)

I have seen WAY more valve seat failures in engines that have recently 
had "all new seats put in"  just to be safe, of course.    If you have 
your seats replaced by someone who KNOWS what they are doing and has a 
good track record with Corvair heads then such would not be the case 
(Steve Goodman is an excellent choice for example).  BUT if your seats 
are in solid shape then you my not be gaining any security even then.

The reason I say not to replace perfectly good valve seats is because, 
unless done by a select few individuals (like Steve) you will probably 
make the situation worse for your self.  You say you have an excellent 
local shop that works with aluminum heads all the time? They may 
certainly do a good job on the seats - but I've seen MANY who couldn't.

Lon
www.corvairunderground.com
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   On 5/3/2012 10:27 AM, shortle wrote:
> And I don't concur with Lon though I know he has more years and mileage experience. I like peace of mind and for that I will have my valve seats dealt with. Small price to pay for peace. Like Lon and many others, I like driving my Corvairs across town and across the country.
> Timothy Shortle in Durango Colorado 81301
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Mark Durham<62vair at gmail.com>
>> Sent: May 3, 2012 11:14 AM
>> To: "lonwall at corvairunderground.com"<corvairs at pacifier.com>, "virtualvairs at corvair.org"<virtualvairs at corvair.org>
>> Subject: Re:<VV>  Valve seats
>>
>> I concur with Lon, if there is no pushed metal at the seat to head
>> interface in the ports or combustion chamber, REGARDLESS of history or
>> no history, they are OK to use as long as they have not been ground too
>> many times! I've done thousands of seats in automotive and aircraft,
>> and seats that begin to come loose at temp will move and push the
>> softer aluminum. if unsure, take some pics and send them. Mark Durham
>>
>> Sent from my Windows Phone
>> From: lonwall at corvairunderground.com
>> Sent: 5/3/2012 9:13
>> To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
>> Subject: Re:<VV>  Valve seats
>> On 5/2/2012 5:06 PM, Mstrtch0777 at aol.com wrote:
>>> Hi, all
>>>     I'm rebuilding my 65' 95 HP engine.  Do I really need to  replace the
>>> valve seats? Mine look fine. I know the 140's are prone to  it.
>>> Thanks, Glenn
>>>    _______________________________________________
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>>>
>> No No NO!!   Do not tamper with factory installed valves seats in
>> ANYTHING if, after careful inspection, they appear fine.
>>
>> Lon
>> www.corvairunderground.com
>> _______________________________________________
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>