Valve seats for converting a slant 4 to unleaded

[lolymb]

Hi from Cyprus and Merry xmas to all.

Any ideas if i can find Valve seats for converting a slant 4 to unleaded.

Regards

Louis

[Fred Dukes]

This process is usually done by a head specialist who does hardened valve seat replacements - normally £200 - £300.
if you are not intending to do thousands of miles per year or a lot of long periods at high revs it is more cost effective to use lead additives.

[1972nail]

I agree with Fred. Valve seat recession is more pronounced with high revs and high mileage. I've used an additive on my cars since leaded petrol was removed from sale and not had any problems. The 2300 Slant 4 benefits from using an additive with an octane booster included.

When I made the original decision not to use an unleaded head all those years ago I reckoned that I might as well fit hardened valve seats to a worn out head in a number of years time rather than do unnecessary work to a good servicable head now. 25k miles later and our Minor is still using the unconverted head without any signs of wear.

Converting a head to unleaded does remove the need to use an additive and to some that is a convience worth having at any price. Many are worried that if you miss one or two shots the head will be terminally damaged. That is not the case. My use of additive is not an obsession but it is regular and I believe that is all that is really needed.

[lolymb]

Thanks Fred and David for your feedback. I 'll proceed without changing the valves.

[Mike Attew]

I agree with Fred and Dave with the exception of if you are rebuilding an engine or have the head off you may as well have it done. I rebuilt my 1256 earlier this year and with the head faced, hardened seats and valves faced and lapped it was £175.