Was there any D3VE heads that didn't have the hardened seats??

And if so anyone have any idea about how many miles a person might get out of a set before having trouble??

More than 10 less than a million?

That's a pretty loaded question......

plowboy34 wrote:And if so anyone have any idea about how many miles a person might get out of a set before having trouble??

The beginning of production did not so, a date code in late 1972 or 1973 are probably not hardened.

If unhardened ... use leaded fuel or take your chances.

it's to late on the chances thing, already a done deal. I was ignorant at the time and didn't know about such things so this is one of them learning things that you never forget....   I have a good feeling this is what's happening. It has less than 50,000 miles on it and it's developed a light popping through the exhaust and a leak down test proves to be leaking through the exhaust.

My next question is can the seats be replaced in these heads, the only reason I ask is these heads are ported on the exhaust side. I do the porting myself so cost isn't really a big deal. Just don't know if it's possible and cost efficient. Might be cheaper to just find some later heads, port them and have a valve job done. Your guy's thoughts would be appreciated. You helped me build this thing and it run's just like you all said it would(which is like a raped ape) so I would like your input on this as well. Thanks in advance

So long as the area isn't damaged too bad, the head can be cut to have hardend seats installed.

kim wrote:So long as the area isn't damaged too bad, the head can be cut to have hardend seats installed.  

X2 need to see how damaged they are. The inserts are better IMO than doing a valve job on another set, you know they are hard sometime they can be worn

Thanks for the info guy's really appreciate it. Guess I'll have to talk to the machinist and see what the cost difference would be.

Is there any certain brand of seat you would recommend??