915 heads can you install hardened seats with a 2.14 valve?

[Walt 70RR]

I have a set of heads in the machine shop and they are telling me they can't install hardened seats with a 2.14 valve. The largest he is willing to go is a 2.08 is this guy right or do I need to take them to a different shop?

Thanks Walt

 

[Bruce]

You can put hardened exhaust seats in with 2.14 intake valves not an issue.

 

[vintage chromoly]

He probably doesn't want to get into a water jacket.
If he does, you are going to want him to absorb the issue and he's probably been down that road.

 

[MOPOWER871]

 

[69Bee]

I have a set of heads in the machine shop and they are telling me they can't install hardened seats with a 2.14 valve. The largest he is willing to go is a 2.08 is this guy right or do I need to take them to a different shop?

Thanks Walt

What do you mean? Are you wanting to install a hardened seat FOR the 2.14" intake valve, or for the exhaust with 2.14" intakes already installed? I installed hardened exhaust seats for a 1.81" exhaust, and then cut for the 2.14" intake. The seat 45 degree angle can touch the exhaust seat insert, therefore you must do the exhaust seat install first. If you are wanting to install a hardened seat for the intake, it is not necessary. A standard seat is used to bring seat height back for an intake (or exhaust) when it has been sunk into the head by doing too many valve jobs. Going to a larger intake valve allows the seat to sit farther out, and therefore, will be higher anyway.

 

[cudadoug]

Yes you can. It's done every day. But....unless you're going to port the bowls at minimum, a 2.14 intake valve will show NO gains in air flow and may even reduce flow most likely.

OE valve sizes (especially a "pro flow" type valve) will easily support 500 honest HP.

 

[Walt 70RR]

What do you mean? Are you wanting to install a hardened seat FOR the 2.14" intake valve, or for the exhaust with 2.14" intakes already installed? I installed hardened exhaust seats for a 1.81" exhaust, and then cut for the 2.14" intake. The seat 45 degree angle can touch the exhaust seat insert, therefore you must do the exhaust seat install first. If you are wanting to install a hardened seat for the intake, it is not necessary. A standard seat is used to bring seat height back for an intake (or exhaust) when it has been sunk into the head by doing too many valve jobs. Going to a larger intake valve allows the seat to sit farther out, and therefore, will be higher anyway.

The heads are in ori

What do you mean? Are you wanting to install a hardened seat FOR the 2.14" intake valve, or for the exhaust with 2.14" intakes already installed? I installed hardened exhaust seats for a 1.81" exhaust, and then cut for the 2.14" intake. The seat 45 degree angle can touch the exhaust seat insert, therefore you must do the exhaust seat install first. If you are wanting to install a hardened seat for the intake, it is not necessary. A standard seat is used to bring seat height back for an intake (or exhaust) when it has been sunk into the head by doing too many valve jobs. Going to a larger intake valve allows the seat to sit farther out, and therefore, will be higher anyway.

Sorry yes it will be 2.14 intake and 1.81 exhaust the heads are in original condition now. I am no motor man but my cousin is helping me with the build and wasn't sure if the guy was just concerned with screwing up the heads. Or if it wasn't possible to put hardened seats in both. They will be going on a 1972 440 block. The heads will also be port and polished.

 

[Bruce]

Just find a set of 452 heads they come with hardened seats ad flow better when port work is done. I have done hundreds of them over the years.

 

[66Satellite47]

The 452 solution makes a lot of sense. With a bit of porting they make good power. They can take whatever size valves you want. I used the 2.14 /1.81 combination on most of my bracket motors.

 

[Walt 70RR]

I believe the 915 heads are being used to increase the compression due to the low compression 72 block I have.

 

[69Bee]

Don't use the Mopar Performance seat set as they are TOO big. I had gotten a set for myself, and they are crazy large, and hit water. Not necessarily a bad thing as the seat seals the holes. If the shop uses an SBI seat SB2000-1, it should work fine. This seat has an OD of 2.000", ID of 1.750", and a height of 7/32" (0.21875"). It has a nice throat, and is just larger than the 1.81" exhaust valve, and is not too deep to hit water. The intake will NOT need a seat. After the seats are cut, have the throat opened up for the larger valves. This makes it easier to blend the rest by hand. When I install seats, I always finish by cutting the throat to the ID size of the seat.

 

[Bruce]

You only gain 1/2 point of compression with the 915 heads, the 452 I port flow in the 280 cfm range for the street I've done tons of them and they work great for stroker motors. contact me if you are interested I have a few sets available 724-290-2497