Sodium filled valves

[49powerwagon]

I`m getting a pile of parts together for my 230 build, and so far have come up with one question. I am looking for advice on exhaust valve selection. This is going to be a truck motor, and used as such. The truck regularly has a GCVW upwards of 15,000LBS, and the flattie works hard to keep it moving. Keeping that in mind, I am wondering if sodium filled exhaust valves as original in the truck motors would provide better durability than a modern stainless valve, or if I would be better off saving money and buying regular valves. I asked my engine guru and he said that he would go with regular valves because modern lubricants will do more to protect the guides and conduct heat away than the old valves did.

Any advice??

[Dodgeb4ya]

Sodium valves today I would think are kinda hard to get and very costly. I have them in several of my dodge trucks as factory equipment. I also decided to put them in a 265 I put in my 52 Dodge 1 ton back in 73 with bronze guides and that engine is still running like a champ!

I have never seen a sodium exhaust valve burn. Stem size is larger at .437". They are a little clicky at .020" clearance too.

If your truck is always working under really heavy loads- IMO sodium is good!

Bob

[FargoPanel]

I got my sodium's off of eBay...they were cheap...something like 5 bucks each...looked like old stock, but they were new....boxes were a little old for sure.

[David Muma]

$45 for six

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/up-600-Sodium-exhaust-valves-1949-68-Dodge-Truck-NOS-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ360122781944QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[49powerwagon]

That is a good price, but they are for a 25" block and everything I see says they are different. Keeping my eyes open, though. And with the larger valve stem, do I need another guide, or ream the standard guide?

[Don Coatney]

$45 for six

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/up-600-Sodium-exhaust-valves-1949-68-Dodge-Truck-NOS-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ360122781944QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

I find it interesting that these valves have turned down stems at the tappet end. I wonder why? Are all sodium valves made this way? The valves I installed in my big block Desoto engine are Chevy valves (not sodium filled) but they do not have the turned down stems.

[austinsailor]

I have 5 25" motors around and hope to build one up as a performance motor soon. I haven't had time to do any research yet, but if these valves would fit the eventual one I use it would seem to make sense to pick up a set - or 2.

are there numerous choices of valve sizes? will the stems fit non-sodium valves?

my choices of motor include a 49 Chrysler, 48 desoto, 51 Fargo, 49 1 1/2 ton Coe and a truck I beleive was a 50 1 1/2 ton.

I'm 300 miles from home and can get motor numbersin a day or two.

would it make sense to get a set or two for the future??

[49powerwagon]

Don, in my reading I found that all the old sodium valves had a larger stem to hold the sodium, and they stuck with the smaller end to use standard retainers and such. Hence needing larger guides as well.

And if anybody has any sources for sodium valves for the 23" blocks, I`m still looking.