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| | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 176 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 176 | Despite having only 47,000 miles, the valves in my 216 needed replacement due to severe wear. I ordered new valves from Chevs of the 40's. The new exhaust valves look like forged steel, but the intake valves appear to be made of ordinary gray cast iron, a step down from the forged stainless valves the engine originally had, which did not even last very long. Even the stem lock grooves are cast in and not machined. Is cast iron suitable for valves? I wouldn't think so, because it is very brittle and not even especially hard.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 230 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 230 | i would not want them especially exhaust valves .forged and machined is better . | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | kingisomer,
I feel pretty confident saying there is no such thing as a cast iron valve for your engine. I also don't believe the originals were stainless, but medium carbon steel..hard and tough.
I think this is accurate.
Stuart | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | Right on Stu, the valves are forged, big difference from cast.
Denny G
Denny G
Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 176 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 176 | The Shop Manual says they were stainless (look where it says "Valves"), but I do recall seeing rust on them. However the replacement intake valves are definitely cast. (The replacement exhaust valves are forged, however.)
Last edited by kingisomer; 02/10/2009 5:06 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | Silichrome isn't "stainless" as we think of it, and valves can't be judged by their looks, intake and exhaust are made of different materials Bill | | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 176 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 176 | Every part of it except the stem, seat area and stem top has a rough sand cast texture nothing like the texture on forged parts. Could it actually not be cast? I may take it to a metallurgist. If he says its cast, should I send them back? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | "cast" or not, I'd be suprised if Chevs of the 40's was selling something that wasn't what they claim it to be, or inappropriate for the application, and I'd be suprised if anyone could tell by looking at a part what alloy it is and if it's appropriate .... have you talked to Chevs of the 40's? extruding, the process cited by the shop manual - casting and forging compared - "cast iron" isn't a bad thing [scroll down a bit], or simple .... valves are made with multiple operations, and may as a result be multiple "parts" 'nother thought - aren't valves [and hardened seats] 'stellite'? it's castBill
Last edited by red58; 02/10/2009 8:05 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 176 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 176 | OK, you've convinced me. I hope they last longer than the originals, though. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | don't take my word for it, ask the source, they'll know more about their products than anyone here  Bill | | |
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