Hardened valve seats 2.8

[niels]

Does anyone know what the story is on the hardened valve seats in the 2.8 V6?

I recall reading somewhere that Ford used hardened seats from 1983 on.

I found a replacement engine for my S1.. It's from 1986. Seller claims that there's "E N" stamped on the exhaust flange.

Cheers

Niels
S1
Netherlands

[joospeed]

that's *supposed* to mean unleaded-freindly, but it seems it isn't always the case. I spoke to the foremost 2.8 cologne rebuilder in the country last year when i was rebuilding a 2.8 for a customer and he said it's not a reliable guide to whether the heads are unleaded or not

seems the only sure way is to get hardened inserts fitted regardless, fortunately this isn't expensive

[Hoover33]

Hmmm nothing seems simple as it is on face value ....lol...

TVR's great..... A big part of the fun is getting to the bottom of your only particular prob.... So many answers in here, all helpfull... but you never know that yours is the exception to the rule on the day they thought they fond something else in the parts bin that day ( ford rejects ... )

>> Edited by Hoover33 on Wednesday 2nd March 23:37

[Ali B]

EN is cast into exhaust manifold and is not the same as the E stamped into the flange.

EN (cast)does not indicate unleaded friendly.
E or D stamped does. but has probably rusted away anyhow!


Anyone got any pics of this mythical stamping from any ford 2.8? it would be nice to see clearly what we are looking for.

[niels]

Haven't got any pictures yet. I was supposed to do the engine swap yesterday but there was too much snow in northern holland.

It will take place next sunday, I'll try to make some pics of the block.

By the way, the engine is a late 2.8 (built in '86). I read on the net somewhere that Ford switched to hardened seats in '83.

Cheers

Niels
S1
Netherlands