Hardened Exhaust seats

[Highbanked Hauler]

 Are they needed on a motor that gets less than 1000 a year? The shop that might be doing a 440 for me said installing hard seats there is to much chance of cracking a head .  How fast do valves recede into the head thanx

[Chryco Psycho]

Probably not , it would take years for the seat to sink although with high alchol fuels & higher potential exhaust temps the problem could get worse not better . With all the set of heads I have ported had rebuilt &  installing hard seats often larger than stock in every set I have yet to see a head crack from hard seat installs

[Supercharged Riot]

From my own personal experience, I personally think that it is worth it in the long run.
Especially if you plan on using that engine for years to come.

Since we live in an age of unleaded gas, I would personally have it done.
I don't think there's that much of a risk of cracking the cylinder heads unless your machine shop is careless.
I personally did the exhaust seat cut & hardened seat installation myself for the first time.
It wasn't that bad at all.

If you do pay the machine shop to do the work.
Make sure they do a good job installing the seats so that the new seats are flush with the bowl area.
The morons (Waynes Engine Rebuildng) that cut & installed on my hardened intake seats didnt do that
Even I did a better job myself and I was a beginner.

Anyways. My answer is YES. Just get a good machine shop to do it.

Here's a link to my thread that shows how hardened exhaust seats look like.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,62064.125.html

[A383Wing]

no....don't bother with the little miles you will put on the engine

I'm still running th OE untouched engine in one or our Chargers..plus no hard seats in our old 66 Dart convert, and still running OE cylinder head in the little Metro as well

Bryan

[John_Kunkel]

The shop that might be doing a 440 for me said installing hard seats there is to much chance of cracking a head . 

I'd be looking for another shop.

[Mebsuta]

If I ever do anything like that again I think I will find some 452 heads and use them. 

[Challenger340]

Are they needed on a motor that gets less than 1000 a year? The shop that might be doing a 440 for me said installing hard seats there is to much chance of cracking a head .  How fast do valves recede into the head thanx

The quick answer is they don't...followed by NO, you don't need hardened seats.....
provided
you don't mind adding a small amount of 2 Cycle Oil to your fuel tank each time you fuel up.

No, it won't blow blue like a chainsaw either, just use about 100mls per 10 gallons fuel, just enough to keep the Valves/Seats lubricated.

[A383Wing]

now that I did not know

thanks

Bryan

[Sublime/Sixpack]

A thousand or less miles per year? I wouldn't bother with hardened seats unless it provides you with peace of mind.

[Highbanked Hauler]

Are they needed on a motor that gets less than 1000 a year? The shop that might be doing a 440 for me said installing hard seats there is to much chance of cracking a head .  How fast do valves recede into the head thanx

The quick answer is they don't...followed by NO, you don't need hardened seats.....
provided
you don't mind adding a small amount of 2 Cycle Oil to your fuel tank each time you fuel up.

No, it won't blow blue like a chainsaw either, just use about 100mls per 10 gallons fuel, just enough to keep the Valves/Seats lubricated.

    not a problem, I do the same with my Cummins a quart to about 25 gallons of diesel....