Quote:
Originally Posted by 1930 coupe
Something to think about before you machine out the block for inserts and oversize valves.
25 years from now when the next owner of your car takes the engine to be rebuilt, he will be told by the rebuilder, sorry your engine cannot be rebuilt because the inserts and oversize valves are no longer available, you will need to find another block that has not been modified. Your block will have to go in the scrap pile. If you stick with babbitt and standard valves future owners can keep it running for another 100 years or until fuel is no longer available.
|
Please allow me to play 'Devil's Advocate' with you. If someone is worried about availability of inserts, I tell them to spend an extra $85 for a spare set and place them on the shelf in the event there is a "next time". Also understand that we have the ability to have babbitt re-poured into existing insert shells and re-machined. We even have the ability to weld metal into main webs and caps and (re)line-bore a block that will accept Babbitt. We can repair what has been previously modified. The same mindset can be applied to installing O/S stainless seats in a block to go back to 1.500" valves, --OR making 4 new O/S valves.
I totally understand your point and I also realize you are deeply involved in engine rebuilding too however I say all of this to explain it this way, so often hobbyists pass on (mis)information that makes a project seem hopeless for the future. The truth is there are many orphan cars out there being restored where there just is not any replacement parts available. Therefore someone must think the entire process through and fabricate whatever it takes to get the job done. That same mindset should apply to an 'A' engine too. It is my opinion there will always be a way to restore the engine "
if" there is a will to do so.