Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Not to beat the valve seat thing to death, but for those of us "lucky" enough to have seen the damage first hand, it's do it & forget it. Also I would like to buy a pump conversion, Mr. Vines, check your email :)

I'm running SS in a static air cooled mc engine. ALL iron flat head cylinders. This engine runs extremely hot even in moderate ambient temps. Have to replace piston rings about every 5K miles. 15K miles and 2 ring jobs there is absolutely NO valve recession whatsoever.
2" SS valves, 4.5" stroke and i routinely turn this engine 3K rpm sustained with corillo rods. NO valve recession.
Valve recession is due to overheating, lean running and usually accompnied by holes burned in pistons. Has nothing to do with valve material.
SS valves in my Packard v8 with curently 20k++ miles of nearly all hi speed interstate driving. Not had the heds off yet. But it runs just fine.
I would prefer not to have the SS. but thats what the vendor sent me.
At this point i am suspicious that the SS valve (for any passenger car application) is just a fad.

My understanding is that stainless valves preclude the need for lead?
But it costs the manufacture a good deal more than to just induction harden the seats @ the factory.