14 replies to this topic

[Heath]

We all consider Hardened Valve Seats a necessity on engines running ULP/LPG, but is it really worth the effort?

Recently I was told by a good friend of mine that they have been running LPG on their '74 Transit (200ci Ford Motor six) for sixteen years on a motor that wasn't even in good shape in the first place. I believe it's a dual fuel setup but they never use the petrol unless towing tandems. It may come to you as a suprise, but this motor does not have hardened valve seats, stainless valves, Moly rings etc.

I'm still pretty adament that Cast Iron heads running Unleaded do require them, and there's proof that that's the case (or companies really know how to bullshit), but can anyone else here vouch for corroding their Red/Blue/Black heads out just by running gas through them?

I'm leaning towards injecting FlashLube (or similar) into the manifold at the moment. And this Transit situation may be some unique design feature of the 200ci Ford motor, but I just don't know and that's why I'm asking here.

I'm open to any suggestions or other stories etc

BTW: This Transit is an everyday vehicle and does serious kms!

[Heath]

Interesting post there Devil.

I've actually got my hands on a standard 186 Head with the hardened valve seats since I spoke to you last, and that will be going on my 202 bottom end.

But, I do intend to build up a hotter motor with a YT or 12-Port Head, and getting that rebuilt with hardened valve seats (provided it doesn't have them already) may or may not be on the cards.

I'm considering different alternatives now for that reason.

[rodomo]

I ran a 3.3 black (mostly highway, I was living up the bush)on gas for 5 years with no dramas. I was doing around 30k a year.
Hey Heath? I was working in Nth Boxhill on Thurs and saw a green torry in Tyne St. Is that yours?

[makka]

I would only worry bout it if I had YT heads or similar. I am looking at it this way, the amount of money I would spend on flashlube in a year or 2 would get me some new/reco heads! Rob, I thought Black heads were done for ULP anyway?

[Heath]

rodomo, that thing's a LH stocker with a faded paintjob, mine's like that but way brighter and currently it has mags on the front and stockies on the back.

I live about three minutes walk from that car

Thanks for the input guys, and Makka, I don't believe any of those motors were done for ULP, because I've heard that all 12-Ports normally have problems when they're drilling for the hardened valve seats. Crack the heads and find the water jackets or something, but that may be incorrect information anyway.

[rodomo]

It really depends on the engine itself.

Most Pre 86 cars can run on ULP without flashlube. Id imagine they could also run on gas without having valve seats re done.

Cast heads would hold up much better than alloy ones also.

As mentioned, the value of a holden 6 head isnt that expensive so i dont think id be too worried unless it was a big dollar engine.

A lot of pre 86 engines will run on ULP. A rule of thumb is if it was released in the U.S. as they have had ULP a long time. With the alloy V cast head I would think the alloy would be better as they have valve seat inserts standard. I would think most would be hard for the reason above (U.S). I am not 100% on the Black head being compatable to ULP(I think not though) but that was the reason they went Nissan in the VL.

[FastEHHolden]

vk heads certainly are not ulp ready..as rodomo correctly pointed out thats why they went to the RB30.

I went to the trouble of doing a yt head with valve seat inserts and bronze valve guides and stainless valves..only to have the bugger crack.

My current yt head is unmodded....I do 30000 km a yr and 95% of that is the daily highway dash to Sydney..time will tell how it affects the head.

[Heath]

My current yt head is unmodded....I do 30000 km a yr and 95% of that is the daily highway dash to Sydney..time will tell how it affects the head.

Sorry is that on LPG or ULP?

[FastEHHolden]

VK heads not ULP compliant
My first YT was modded for ULP/LPG
My current head is not modded and I run LPG

[Heath]

My current head is not modded and I run LPG

That's what I was looking for, I might just stick an engine in there and see what happens, make sure i use a 12-Port rather than a YT head though...

[FastEHHolden]

I can usually pick up a YT head for about $200...it cost me $350 to get the last one done so i am not going to worry.

[Heath]

There's a YT Head I've got my eyes on at the moment, but if I'm gonna care about it (which I will more than a std. 12-Port) then i'll pay it with Flashlube, not hardened valve seats; that's out of my price range currently.