Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Good afternoon,
I have taken the head off my engine at the moment and would like to get the exhaust valve seats replaced with hardened ones for unleaded fuel. Can anyone suggest a machine shop/engine builder in Kent, Who could do this for me?

Thanks
Dave

It is my belief that your valve seat inserts will already be compatible with unleaded fuels and that the issue, if indeed there is one is with seats cut directly into cast iron heads without inserts, to my knowledge all inserts including those for aluminium heads are sufficiently hardened.

Happy to learn that I am incorrect and to add to my knowledge.

You are right there.

I don't know if the valve seats in the TC are given any particular hardening treatment. But they are made from alloy steel, as opposed to the seats cut directly in older cast-iron heads which are not up to unleaded petrol. My machine shop now makes them up directly from stock, rather than use the seats I can buy from the usual suppliers.