CORROSION IN S-V HEADS & BLOCKS

Unknown

All,



The guys who will be doing the engine for my racer tell me that the

nature of the alloy used in the side-valve engines (Block and head)

makes it prone to corrosion. Seems it was a steel/cast iron

combination and the steel component rusts. The consequence of this,

they say, is that (a) sleeving the block would be a very good idea

and (b) casting up a new head would make sense because local

(Australian) experience is that when you increase the compression

ratio the combustion chamber will fail due to the rusting from within

the waterways.



I have no problem with sleeving, but the prospect of creating a new

head sounds expensive!



As my direct experience with these engines is zero, I have several

questions for our group:



** Is the above story regarding the metallurgy correct?

** Are other people with s-v engines facing or experiencing this

problem?

** If we in Australia were to produce a new head (probably in

aluminium and with Ricardo-style combustion chambers) would others be

interested in taking up some of the production? Price (completely

unknown at present) would obviously be a factor, but our exchange

rate is so bad right now - US$1 buys AUD$1.87 - that it could be a

bargain!



Maybe this has all been done before. I'd appreciate hearing from the

group.



Thanks.............Peter R.