Rocket Man VW Heads... What alloy?

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On Jan 10, 9:18 am, "Maxwell" #$$9#@%%%.^^^ wrote:
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| So what's a good alloy? Ideally, something cheap & commonly available
| (and doesn't say 'Coors'!)
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The after market racing heads are usually made from 355 or 356, and heat
treated to T-6.
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Are you talking air-cooled heads?

356-T6 is usually selected for its HIGH STRENGTH rather than its
ability to pass heat
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Which sand cast alloys do you thing will conduct heat significantly faster?







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.
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I'm afraid you've confused me with some of those Double-Dipper Retired
Military types :-) Whatever I use for casting will have to come from
the junk yard.
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Why, you can buy certifed spec metal for $1.50 to $2.00 a pound.







I can get two engines-worth of 1.3:1 rockers for $200, which is about
the only thing I'd care to buy. I'll hit the junk yards over by the
airport to see if I can come up with the studs & hardware.
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Are you talking about Chevy rockers?




My casting ability is limited to about one quart of melted aluminum,
which should be enough for the type of heads I'm thinking about.

This puppy is going to need two cores. Pulling an accurate core is
where I've had trouble in the past. That is, using the Old Fashioned
method of baking cores. (Smells like a batch of cookies... until the
cores reach the carbonizing stage. In the past, I've scheduled Core
Production for those times when I'm home alone... then try to air-out
the kitchen before my wife returns :-)
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What do you use for sand and binder? How do you mix?