stellite vs. stainless et al : MGB & GT Forum : The MG Experience

stellite vs. stainless et al #1
rrmgb robert schau Ft Myers, FL, USA Sign in to contact 1973 MG MGB 1973 MG MGB	Topic Creator (OP) Nov 28, 2007 09:57 PM Top Contributor Joined 19 years ago 11,981 Posts

Talking valves and seats here.
Are stellite valves better than stainless or "hardened" steel?
And what about the seats? Can stellite or stainless valves be used with "hardened" seats? Does the material of valve and seat have to match?
And since the intake valve isnt open during combustion, does it need to be hardened?
Exhaust valves in all 3 categories can be found but seats are a different story.
Intake seats/valves, I'm still searching! becoming very confused with the combinations.
Your thoughts will be much appreciated!!
Rob

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Re: stellite vs. stainless et al #2
JimmyHilton Jimmy Hilton Aledo, TX, USA Sign in to contact 1968 MG MGB "Minkey" 1999 Lotus Seven	Nov 28, 2007 10:40 PM Joined 19 years ago 3,956 Posts

Hi Rob,

I have used 214N stainless exhaust valves on hardened seats with good success. BPNorthwest has a pretty good deal on the stainless valves.

If your intake seats are good, I wouldn't be too concerned about them unless you need to bring the seats back up to level.

edited>> changed stellite to 214N stainless

I sold my long term Family business that I finally grew to outgrow me, so I retired. I will now do a few SU carb sets/month, but with my preference being to do specialty SU work. I have many sets in stock (and many with linkage and manifolds) from Healey, to Jag, to MG, to Triumph, to Morgan, to Volvo, to anything else wearing SU carbs.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007-11-28 10:43 PM by JimmyHilton.

Jimmy Hilton SU Carburetor Restoration and modification www.facebook.com

Specializing in SU carb restoration. This hobby is a love of mine, and I like to be of any help. I am best contacted by phone at 214-621-2344, but if you don't leave a message it is likely that I'll block your number.

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Re: stellite vs. stainless et al #3
Basil Adams About 12 miles from Sears Point, CA, USA Sign in to contact	Nov 28, 2007 11:00 PM Top Contributor Joined 19 years ago 13,450 Posts

I too have had good luck with stainless valves and stellite seats - just like Jimmy. You might want to ask Sean about his experience too. The key on the valces is to get one-piece valves. The stock two-piece valves are pretty scary. Best of luck. Basil

Basil C. Adams
1956 MGA Coupe (Show Car)
1957 MGA Roadster (Driver)
1958 MGA Coupe (Racecar)
1959 MGA Coupe (unrestored)
1960 MGA Coupe (unrestored)
1960 MGA Roadster (Driver)
MKIII Elva Courier (E1056)
1967 427 Cobra
1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal
A coupla late MGBs
1960 Austin Healy BN7
More Cars than Brains

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Re: stellite vs. stainless et al #4
rrmgb robert schau Ft Myers, FL, USA Sign in to contact 1973 MG MGB 1973 MG MGB	Topic Creator (OP) Nov 28, 2007 11:14 PM Top Contributor Joined 19 years ago 11,981 Posts

Thanks guys, I saw the BPNorthwest deals but havent had any success finding the stellite or hardened intake seats. The exhaust ones dont seem to be a problem.
Supplier for seats?

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Re: stellite vs. stainless et al #5
underdog Jim Underwood Pittsburgh, USA Sign in to contact 1972 MG MGB 1980 Triumph TR8 "Fabulous Trashwagon" 1999 Chevrolet Corvette "Darth Vader" 1999 Chevrolet S10 "Spare Change" & more	Nov 29, 2007 07:42 AM Joined 18 years ago 10,355 Posts

You don't need hardened seats on the intake. That's probably why you can't find them. The intake doesn't get enough heat to be a problem. The only time you may need replacement seats there is as Jimmy said, if they have been previously cut to the point of being sunk too far in the head. Most times, a couple of valve jobs can be done before this becomes an issue.
As I understand it, the Stellite valves are supposed to be the most resistant to burning but I've used the stainless in different engines through the years without a problem.

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Re: stellite vs. stainless et al #6
tennsmith Robert Smith Huntsville, AL, USA Sign in to contact 1974 MG MGB	Nov 29, 2007 08:42 AM Joined 18 years ago 723 Posts

These guys carry hardened valve/seat kits, not sure if just the seats are available separately. http://www.brittek.com/ Look under engine kits, then head update kits.

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Re: stellite vs. stainless et al #7
Basil Adams About 12 miles from Sears Point, CA, USA Sign in to contact	Nov 29, 2007 02:57 PM Top Contributor Joined 19 years ago 13,450 Posts

If you use an aluminum head, you definitely need seats for both the intake and the exhaust. I bought mine from the manufacturer (PBS) and had Sean install them. Basil

Basil C. Adams
1956 MGA Coupe (Show Car)
1957 MGA Roadster (Driver)
1958 MGA Coupe (Racecar)
1959 MGA Coupe (unrestored)
1960 MGA Coupe (unrestored)
1960 MGA Roadster (Driver)
MKIII Elva Courier (E1056)
1967 427 Cobra
1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal
A coupla late MGBs
1960 Austin Healy BN7
More Cars than Brains

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Re: stellite vs. stainless et al #8
underdog Jim Underwood Pittsburgh, USA Sign in to contact 1972 MG MGB 1980 Triumph TR8 "Fabulous Trashwagon" 1999 Chevrolet Corvette "Darth Vader" 1999 Chevrolet S10 "Spare Change" & more	Nov 29, 2007 03:37 PM Joined 18 years ago 10,355 Posts

I assumed we were talking about an iron head since an alloy would already have them installed.

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