Valve seats?? Ford FE
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More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 554
Likes: 13
Valve seats?? Ford FE
I know this is quite a controversy and like asking about oil types. But for an FE of a mild build that will be daily driven for about 4 months out of the year, are the hardened valve seats necessary?
My machine shop says no unless I plan on towing (which I won’t ever do with this truck) or if it is ran hard (it will have occasional hard pulls on the interstate) but not screaming at 5k rpm at the strip, won’t ever see the strip.
I have a set of hardened seats already from Alex’s parts, so it’s just the question of if I need them installed or not.
c6ae-r heads
cam: 218/226 @ .050”, 262/270 adv, .509”/.517” lift. 111 lobe sep
My machine shop says no unless I plan on towing (which I won’t ever do with this truck) or if it is ran hard (it will have occasional hard pulls on the interstate) but not screaming at 5k rpm at the strip, won’t ever see the strip.
I have a set of hardened seats already from Alex’s parts, so it’s just the question of if I need them installed or not.
c6ae-r heads
cam: 218/226 @ .050”, 262/270 adv, .509”/.517” lift. 111 lobe sep
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,459
Likes: 70
From: Southern Maryland
If the heads are already off, just do it, then you won't have to worry about them. Over time the exhaust valves will start to sink into the head. How long that takes depends on several variables like you've mentioned already, like engine load and gas quality, octane rating etc. The hotter the engine runs, the faster the valves will sink.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 647
I agree, if you ever sell, it will be worth more. Older engines were designed for leaded fuels, not unleaded fuels. I believe '72 and up FE heads came with harden valve seats.
See A Man About A Horse
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,917
Likes: 667
From: Mariposa, Ca.
Labor rates vary widely by location, so best you just ask in your locale. For instance, in major population centers in Cali, shop rates for independent automotive repair shops can be well over 125.00 hr. In some parts of the country, a lawyer may bill out at that rate, though probably not a very good one.
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 656
Likes: 125
From: Northern Texas
Don’t know what valve seat installation costs but I pay 100 per hour for shop rates. I’m in DFW.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 3,553
Likes: 442
I would always do them if the heads are in need of a valve job. The last set of Fe heads I did was $500. New seats, valves, springs and guides, said and done out the door.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2015
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From: Tri Cities, TN
I agree with 6t6merc hardened seats are unnecessary on a stock engine that isn't going to be run hard. The induction hardened seats that Ford used are slightly better than the plain cast seats but the hardening is very thin and easily ground thru when the valves are reground.
The cost to install hard seats around here is $125.00 if the shop supplies the seats. Keep in mind with new seats there is the possibility that one can come loose and ruin your day. But If you decide to have then installed be sure the valves you choose are compatible with the seat material.
The cost to install hard seats around here is $125.00 if the shop supplies the seats. Keep in mind with new seats there is the possibility that one can come loose and ruin your day. But If you decide to have then installed be sure the valves you choose are compatible with the seat material.
See A Man About A Horse
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,917
Likes: 667
From: Mariposa, Ca.
If you have the parts - then why would you NOT install them if your heads are otherwise needing work? Not that much additional expense, and no sense in tempting fate. Remember, “ Penny wise and pound foolish”. (Sam Houston)
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More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 554
Likes: 13
Well because the seats were free, given from a friend, and the heads don’t need any work currently, they are fine. But they will be off so it’s a matter of if I want to add the seats or not deal with it
See A Man About A Horse
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,917
Likes: 667
From: Mariposa, Ca.
Maybe just save them , then, till you do need the head work? For me, I do lots of things as a preemptive strike so I don’t get caught short. I consider it a good investment.
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More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 554
Likes: 13
I guess I will end up putting them in either now or later, suppose why not get it done now. Shouldn’t add too much time to the downtime I wouldn’t think right? How difficult is it for shops to do this type of stuff?