Don Terrill’s Speed-Talk

Valve seat materials, I've done a few searches on what people are using for their valve seats but with little results, has anyone done any testing or know of where I could find information on such? even better whats your experience with different materials, have you noticed any thing worth noting or is beryllium copper the answer to everything?

What is the application?

dennis h

mold star 90. or mold max work well with ti valves

Please don't take this as a sales pitch. I use a lot of SBI products. Their catalog has some good information in it. They also have very good tech line
1-888-843-7328 which I use for questions like yours. I myself would not offer any recommendations or information on something this critical. Only a good source. As for copper beryllium I use it to replace an existing copper beryllium. Also may health hazards.

FortescueTech wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 5:15 am Valve seat materials, I've done a few searches on what people are using for their valve seats but with little results, has anyone done any testing or know of where I could find information on such? even better whats your experience with different materials, have you noticed any thing worth noting or is beryllium copper the answer to everything?

Application is everything as to what seat material is best for that particular job.

Stainless, Titanium, Inconel or O.E.M. type material valves, whatever fuel is to be used, how it will be run and heat transfer requirements can make a huge difference.

dennis h wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 7:46 am What is the application?

dennis h

Hi Dennis, there's actually a couple different applications, both being twin cam Japanese engines, an RB25 and SR20 both will be running stainless hollow stem valves, both will be N/A however one will run on a 98 pump gas while the other will be running E85.

cheers

Logan

FortescueTech wrote: ↑Wed May 16, 2018 5:07 am

dennis h wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 7:46 am What is the application?

dennis h

Hi Dennis, there's actually a couple different applications, both being twin cam Japanese engines, an RB25 and SR20 both will be running stainless hollow stem valves, both will be N/A however one will run on a 98 pump gas while the other will be running E85.

cheers

Logan

If that's your application use ductile iron seats. You don't need Bc or Nb seats for what you are doing.

FortescueTech wrote: ↑Wed May 16, 2018 5:07 am one will run on a 98 pump gas

"98" sounds like you're not using the R + M / 2 "pump octane" as used in the USA. Is this correct?

[/quote]

Hi Dennis, there's actually a couple different applications, both being twin cam Japanese engines, an RB25 and SR20 both will be running stainless hollow stem valves, both will be N/A however one will run on a 98 pump gas while the other will be running E85.

cheers

Logan
[/quote]

Logan, I have no experience I can share with you for those applications. However I know a guy (Claude @ C.H.E. Precision 1-805-499-8885) who is my go to expert on valve seat materials who has done his best to keep me out of trouble. He may want to know the valve material (there is lots of different kinds of stainless) the manufacturer of the valves, racing or street use, etc.,etc.
have a nice day,
dennis h

When we were doing all of the Nissan Aussie V8 Supercar heads, the only exhaust seat material we found that wasn't terribly eroded by the mandated E85 fuel, was Moldstar 90. I can also tell you that E85 will eat Beryllium Copper for lunch....even on the intake side. We used custom Durabond 70000 series seats on the intake, and Moldstar on the exhaust-side.
A few of you know that we're casting our own Honda S2K and K Series heads now. The seats I've had made for these heads are custom Durabond "Killer-Bee" seats which are copper infiltrated. Our testing has shown that they're really good in every anticipated application...

Larry puts up a post at about one year intervals, but they are always worth waiting for!

Galon wrote: ↑Tue May 15, 2018 8:18 am Please don't take this as a sales pitch. I use a lot of SBI products. Their catalog has some good information in it. They also have very good tech line

Have to second this. Pretty much the only seats I use. They are not a well known name to the general public but all of their valve train parts seem to be a step above the typical aftermarket.

"Larry Widmer
When we were doing all of the Nissan Aussie V8 Supercar heads, the only exhaust seat material we found that wasn't terribly eroded by the mandated E85 fuel, was Moldstar 90. I can also tell you that E85 will eat Beryllium Copper for lunch....even on the intake side. We used custom Durabond 70000 series seats on the intake, and Moldstar on the exhaust-side.
A few of you know that we're casting our own Honda S2K and K Series heads now. The seats I've had made for these heads are custom Durabond "Killer-Bee" seats which are copper infiltrated. Our testing has shown that they're really good in every anticipated application..."

Thanks Larry, that is good to know real experience.
dennis h