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Old January 10th 09, 05:18 PM posted to rec.aviation.homebuilt
Maxwell[_2_]
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Default Rocket Man VW Heads... What alloy?


wrote in message
...
| Okay, then YOU name the damn things!
|
| Right now I got a couple questions: VW heads are nearly pure
| aluminum. I've got a pile of the things but odds are, every single
| one of them is worth a $25 bill... or will be. Point is, I don't much
| care for the idea of cutting them and melting them down.
|
| When I make something SERIOUS out of aluminum I usually use old
| pistons, which is a pretty hard alloy with a MUCH lower heat-transfer
| ability than VW heads.
|
| So what's a good alloy? Ideally, something cheap & commonly available
| (and doesn't say 'Coors'!)
|
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The after market racing heads are usually made from 355 or 356, and heat
treated to T-6. Regardless of it's previous use, I wouldn't recommend
reclaiming anything. Every time you melt aluminum you gain and loose
elements, and usually reduce or at least changes it's physical properties.
It's too cheap and easy to just use an off the shelf alloy with known
physicals.

|
| Second question: Rocket Man heads needum' rockers. I wuz thinking of
| using Chebby 1.3 break-in rockers. Any better ideas? (Or rather,
| any ideas at all?)
|
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|

Are you talking about 1.3 Chevy?