At 01:05 AM 8/21/99 EDT, Pfdad@aol.com wrote:
>Hello List:
> I'm tearing down my M38 L-head engine for partial rebuild and am wondering
>about the lifespan of original valve seats versus hardened insert valve
seats
>with the use of today's unleaded gas.
I have a 1951 M38. Here is what I know. Its a daily driver.
In 1980, I rebuilt the engine after 87,000 miles. The valves and seats
were worn BUT not burnt.
The leaded gas at that point in time was reduced from 1.1 gram/gallon to .1
gram/gallon (of TEL) here in New York state.
After 10,000 miles, the exhaust valves gave out. This takes me to 1982.
Swapped out the block and used a recommended lead additive.
Valves this time only lasted 15,000 miles.
Through out all this, timing electrical/camshaft and carbeuration was checked.
Now its 1985. Had to place the M38 aside till I was able to find a good
machine shop that could install valve seats and time. Oh...no more TEL in
the gas now.
1997, found a shop that not only did the exhaust seats, but happily did
the intakes as well. Shop is 100 miles away from me, but the owner/operator
knows his stuff.
I'm hoping to get the M38 back together this winter.
My M715 came with hardened exhaust seats and active ROTO-valves. No additive
and 100,000 miles on the motor, so far.
DUKWs with the stock 270 engine, came with harden exhaust seats.
The later M38s also came with harden seats as well with free floating
exhaust valves. This is what I retro fitted in mine.
If yours (M38) will be a daily driver then PUT THEM IN. You will
be using all 60 HP whether you believe it or not.
If its used one day a month, don't bother putting in the valves and seats.
My $.01 worth.
Ted Hintopoulos
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