cylinders head seat ?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Ram-Man · 01-16-2007, 10:39 PM

What are your opinions on older heads and non hardended seats. I have heads with a 1973 date code I assume the seats are not hardended. Is it worth having these redone and not replacing the seats or should I scrap these and get some newer ones with hardended seats? from what I found out from the machine shop is the cost to replace the seats is about $160 for 2 heads, Add in a valve job and Its near $400 for the pair. How long will non hardended seats hold up with unleaded gas?

*Billla* · 01-17-2007, 12:19 AM

I believe heads had hardened valve seats starting in '71 in passenger cars, '73 for trucks - somebody really needs to check me on that

You can always add a bit of TEL to keep the seats happy...but especially for a performance or hard-working towing engine the non-hardened seats start sinking pretty quick

Here's a link to Chevron that says I'm completely wrong

http://www.chevron.com/products/prod...etin/unld-gas/

As for the $$$ - it's a real tough call. If they're good heads otherwise then $400 for a pair isn't bad...but pretty close to the price of an overhauled performance head or a set of Vortecs. What's the casting number?

Richard H. · 01-17-2007, 12:37 AM

I read somewhere today that 3/4 ton and up had the hardened seats and I will be checking my set of heads tomorrow for the nos. and info.

RetroSBK · 01-17-2007, 02:17 AM

OK, for $400 to redo the seats, you can score a set of offshore made aluminum heads!!

Yeah, they are made in china, so what! lol They sell a complete head, assembled for $795. Valves, springs, valve job, assembled and ready to run...

its from White Performance. I used their fans, waterpump and distributor, and so far so good.

Link - http://stores.ebay.com/whiteperformance1

I am NOT associated with them, just thought its a GREAT low buck deal

good luck!

JimKshortstep4x4 · 01-17-2007, 06:51 AM

The seats on your heads are hardened from the information that I have.

Non hardened seats will last a long time unless you are towing or driving in such a way as to run the engine where it stays hot for a long time. I have several older cars with non hardened seats that I drive on a regular basis with no problems using the non leaded fuel. Also, when the subject is brought up on the 65-66 car board, most guys with the original cars use non leaded fuel in them.

If the chamber size is right for your engine, they are worth using. (After market aluminum heads are fairly cheap, but the extras that you will need will drive up the cost, substantially).

Jim

01-16-2007, 10:39 PM	#1
Ram-Man Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 943	cylinders head seat ?? What are your opinions on older heads and non hardended seats. I have heads with a 1973 date code I assume the seats are not hardended. Is it worth having these redone and not replacing the seats or should I scrap these and get some newer ones with hardended seats? from what I found out from the machine shop is the cost to replace the seats is about $160 for 2 heads, Add in a valve job and Its near $400 for the pair. How long will non hardended seats hold up with unleaded gas? Last edited by Ram-Man; 01-16-2007 at 10:39 PM.

01-17-2007, 12:19 AM	#2
Billla Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Monroe, WA Posts: 3,814	Re: cylinders head seat ?? I believe heads had hardened valve seats starting in '71 in passenger cars, '73 for trucks - somebody really needs to check me on that You can always add a bit of TEL to keep the seats happy...but especially for a performance or hard-working towing engine the non-hardened seats start sinking pretty quick Here's a link to Chevron that says I'm completely wrong http://www.chevron.com/products/prod...etin/unld-gas/ As for the $$$ - it's a real tough call. If they're good heads otherwise then $400 for a pair isn't bad...but pretty close to the price of an overhauled performance head or a set of Vortecs. What's the casting number? Last edited by Billla; 01-17-2007 at 12:20 AM.

01-17-2007, 12:37 AM	#3
Richard H. Spanked once Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Intheshop, Indiana Posts: 969	Re: cylinders head seat ?? I read somewhere today that 3/4 ton and up had the hardened seats and I will be checking my set of heads tomorrow for the nos. and info.

01-17-2007, 02:17 AM	#4
RetroSBK Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Camarillo, CA Posts: 64	Re: cylinders head seat ?? OK, for $400 to redo the seats, you can score a set of offshore made aluminum heads!! Yeah, they are made in china, so what! lol They sell a complete head, assembled for $795. Valves, springs, valve job, assembled and ready to run... its from White Performance. I used their fans, waterpump and distributor, and so far so good. Link - http://stores.ebay.com/whiteperformance1 I am NOT associated with them, just thought its a GREAT low buck deal good luck! __________________ 1970 C10, shortened long bed, Alum Headed full roller 383 (with Victor, 750DP, stainless rockers, behive springs, CNC ported heads) TCI SSF 700R4, 4.10 Posi, Bagged on C-Notch and 2.5 spindles. Air Cond, black out tint, satin black paint, custom interior, rolling low and not so slow...

01-17-2007, 06:51 AM	#5
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: cylinders head seat ?? The seats on your heads are hardened from the information that I have. Non hardened seats will last a long time unless you are towing or driving in such a way as to run the engine where it stays hot for a long time. I have several older cars with non hardened seats that I drive on a regular basis with no problems using the non leaded fuel. Also, when the subject is brought up on the 65-66 car board, most guys with the original cars use non leaded fuel in them. If the chamber size is right for your engine, they are worth using. (After market aluminum heads are fairly cheap, but the extras that you will need will drive up the cost, substantially). Jim



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