We have scads of 1.72 sbc intake and 1.52 exhaust valves floating around here. All my heads have bad guides. Can I get away without hardened seats? I remember Dennis saying hardened seats were not always necessary.

225 Super 6 3100lb car 3.23 rear gears 24" tall tires 5spd
Comp 252s I hope
.060 off head
2.25 exhaust

future plan : TBI from 4.3 chev

I figure if youre regrinding the seats you might as well go the extra expense of hardened ones. It certainly won't hurt anything and will be more durable regardless of whether it is overkill for your application. I doubt the cost spread is that huge, either, since I got my head redone for $150 CDN c/w three angle valve job, hardened seats and epoxy paint.

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I've been calling it as i see it for my entire life and that's not about to change. Take it or leave it.

My feeling is that for "normal" driving (not necessarily mine ), or for drag racing (short heating), you don't need 'em. I would guess that with sustained heat like big mountain pass climbs or road racing, it MIGHT be an issue.

For the record, the two heads I have with SBC valves in them also have hardened exh seats. I have also run stock pre-'72 heads for many many miles on unleaded with no hardened seats and no problems.

How's that for an answer...

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

You running for office Lou? That was a politician talking if ever I heard one.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

Like a good politician Lou has given me the answer I wanted....and left me responsible for it.

"$150 CDN"
I hope you kissed them when you paid; what does that come to, like $5. per seat and $5. to install?.
Locally (NY) hardened seats are about $25. EACH installed, valve job including is more like $500. US.

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actually it is not the first time I have paid $150 for a head overhaul; about six years ago I had a 2.5L Iron Duke Chev head done at a completely different shop for $125 CDN; this included new seats, bronze guides, epoxy paint and the head has over 100K so far. Come on up and let me hook you up. I went to RINI engine in Kingston ON for the Duke and Hamilton Engine for the slant.

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I've been calling it as i see it for my entire life and that's not about to change. Take it or leave it.

Yeah Dennis, ya think I should move up to Chicago and hit the "windy" scene?

That is pretty cheap for headwork, but I more than $10-15 per seat or $2-300 for a head rebuild (not incl new valves/springs...) sounds like robbery to me.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Included bowl sizing, adjusting valve stem heights, coil height.

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Oh, OK, you mean doing it right. Well that is more expensive...

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988