will dove heads work

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Jul 28, 2004 | 07:30 PM

ax2

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will dove heads work

Can anyone tell me if a 1970 460 dove head will work on a 1987 carburated block.

Jul 28, 2004 | 09:56 PM

DannyP

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From: Gravel Switch, KY

Yes.
DannyP

Jul 30, 2004 | 03:24 PM

ax2

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Thanks DannyP for the reply,but can you tell me if the valve guide seals will give me a problem in the future since the 70 head was supposed to run on leaded gas instead of unleaded.My question is do you think the guide seals will be lubricated enough.

Jul 30, 2004 | 04:42 PM

DannyP

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From: Gravel Switch, KY

It is my understanding that valve guides/seals are not the issue running the early heads, but rather the valve seats. When unleaded fuel came along the factories started producing heads with hardened exhaust valve seats. The majority opinion nowadays seems to be that it is unnecessary to retrofit the early heads with hardened seats if the original seats are in decent shape to begin with. To install hardened seats the original seats must be cut out and the new seats pressed in. This is a very delicate operation. There is always the risk of hitting water, or the new seat not fitting tight enough and actually coming loose in use and ruining an engine.
DannyP

Jul 30, 2004 | 08:48 PM

monsterbaby

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From: iowa

As long as the machine shop doesn't have to cut alot out of the seats to clean them up you are ok, and don't install larger valve (not that you would need to) but if you feel the need you can have hardened exhaust seats installed, by a competent machine shop, and they work very good, I have never had a problem, I am currently running them on my race engine without problems. but I have also ran the heads without hardened seats, and never had any problems either especially with a none roller cam (roller cams require alot more spring preasure, and cause the valve to hit alot harder), so I would just have a valve job done, and run them.