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Preparing cylinder heads for marine application

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Old 11-27-2018 | 02:37 PM
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Default Preparing cylinder heads for marine application

Apart from valve material, and I guess valve seat width are there many other things to look out for. I can't see why you would have to run larger valve guide clearance but could be wrong!!

How you you prep a street head for marine use?
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Old 11-27-2018 | 03:53 PM
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Valve guide clearance in many cases wont have enough clearance. .0015/.0017 int-.0018/.0020 exh. Depends on build, hp, NA, SC. Severe duty SS int valves min and inconel exh, manganese bronze guides, good hardened seats, and if aluminum ideally should be dielectric coated but personal preference and if your in fresh or salt.

Definately want to consult with a good reputable head guy who knows marine.

Last edited by getrdunn; 11-27-2018 at 04:04 PM. Reason: Add comment
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Old 11-27-2018 | 04:09 PM
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Originally Posted by getrdunn
Valve guide clearance in many cases wont have enough clearance. .0015/.0017 int-.0018/.0020 exh. Depends on build, hp, NA, SC. Severe duty SS int valves min and inconel exh, manganese bronze guides, good hardened seats, and if aluminum ideally should be dielectric coated but personal preference and if your in fresh or salt.

Definately want to consult with a good reputable head guy who knows marine.
thanks for the reply wouldn't have thought the guides would need more clearance, we have no marine head guys in Nova Scotia hence why I'm asking lol.
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Old 11-27-2018 | 04:34 PM
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As long as you just don't strap them on and go. You'll undoubtedly have issues that can end up being very costly.
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Old 11-27-2018 | 05:32 PM
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I shan't be doing that just ....bolting them on, we have a great workshop and can carry out most of the work, I've been trying to find a valve seat face ratio but can't find one anywhere. But will measure the valve to guide clearance for sure.
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Old 11-27-2018 | 05:52 PM
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The only info I have found is to make the valve seat (45*) width 4-4.5% of the valve diameter, don't know if this is excepted in the marine world

Last edited by Camalot; 11-27-2018 at 06:03 PM.
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Old 11-27-2018 | 06:21 PM
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Valve seat material is important also. Ductile iron doesn’t like marine performance apps very much. Powdered metal is a better choice. Even the afr heads Teague sells has tucker seats.
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Old 11-27-2018 | 07:17 PM
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Crude Int correct with his statement on seat material and good advice. I would imagine there are endless ductile seats getting hammered around the boating world without issues however CI is correct. I know I ran for years in Darts without issues but not any real high hp builds. Not to today's standards anyway.

Back to your heads.... What are they? Valve degree seat valve angles vary but basic old school build would be a 45/30 from what I remember. Sounds like you have limited sources.
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Old 11-28-2018 | 07:51 AM
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Originally Posted by getrdunn
Crude Int correct with his statement on seat material and good advice. I would imagine there are endless ductile seats getting hammered around the boating world without issues however CI is correct. I know I ran for years in Darts without issues but not any real high hp builds. Not to today's standards anyway.

Back to your heads.... What are they? Valve degree seat valve angles vary but basic old school build would be a 45/30 from what I remember. Sounds like you have limited sources.
The heads are Flotek I've used on street engines before and been happy with them, sure they are not high end name brand heads but the casting are good and they use good components. Part of my business is a small but skilled engineering facility. We have no problem doing the machining work but Like you have pointed out we do lack knowledge between street and marine.
The guides are Manganese Bronze and the seat are also Powder Metal which gives me good bones to start with.

I've just purchased a Rottler 3 angle cutting tool I'm not sure what valve seat width we will have until I cut a test piece, but I think I'm going to shoot for 5% of the valve diameter. We do have engine builders here in Nova Scotia but they are more reman stock engines, plus I like to keep as much work inhouse as I can and learn from the process. Thanks for all the pointers to date

Last edited by Camalot; 11-28-2018 at 07:53 AM.
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Old 11-28-2018 | 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by getrdunn
Valve guide clearance in many cases wont have enough clearance. .0015/.0017 int-.0018/.0020 exh. Depends on build, hp, NA, SC. Severe duty SS int valves min and inconel exh, manganese bronze guides, good hardened seats, and if aluminum ideally should be dielectric coated but personal preference and if your in fresh or salt.

Definately want to consult with a good reputable head guy who knows marine.
Fully understand why you want the above in a big hp endurance marine build. Where is the line that it becomes mandatory? Look how many hours on stock 454/502 mpi and 496 setups. These are stock GM heads, same as in auto use.
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