[Vwdiesel] [Audi-VW-Diesels] Head Bolts and more

[Val Christian]

Tangential topic, but they may have been concerned about the disposal
of the valves, as well.  I don't know the current environmental and
safety concerns with sodium filled valves.  In the 70's one aviation
shop I dealt with in Flordia would periodically fill their DC-3 with 
valves, fly offshore for 50 or 60 miles, then dump the valves in 
the ocean.  They said it was the safest disposal, as under the 
right circumstances, rusting valves would catch fire from the sodium.
Many air-cooled engines (gas or diesel) use sodium filled valves for 
cooling, as the heat transfer to the valve sleeve is enhanced by
the thermal conductivity of the sodium.  Smaller air cooled
diesel units tend to not have sodium valves, because the cooling
demands are less.






>   Just like one machinist told me to throw away the 914 exhaust 
> valves and replace them.  Standard practice when rebuilding an 
> air cooled VW engine.  I protested, asking if he knew what those 
> things cost!  I said they were about $70 each (as I recall).  He 
> said bah! and said I still have to.  I asked why and it turns out it 
> has to do with the way they're put together and the heads can 
> drop off.  I then pointed out they were sodium filled...  He paused, 
> and said "oh, that's right!  Ok, you can grind them then, forget what 
> I said."
>     Loren
> _______________________________________________
> Vwdiesel mailing list
> Vwdiesel at vwfans.com
> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/vwdiesel
>