308 Sodium Filled Valve Identification? | FerrariChat
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308 Sodium Filled Valve Identification?

Discussion in '308/328' started by Motob, Dec 17, 2018.

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  1. Motob

    Motob Formula 3
    Professional Ferrari Technician

    Nov 11, 2003
    2,343
    Frederick, Maryland
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    Brian Brown
    #1 Motob, Dec 17, 2018
    Other than the valve head being slightly magnetic, does anyone know what identification code numbers were imprinted on the original sodium filled valves installed on 2V 308 motors?
     
  2. absostone

    absostone F1 Veteran
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    Jul 28, 2008
    9,921
    #2 absostone, Dec 17, 2018
    Just checked my old ones. Didn’t see any numbers
     
  3. waymar

    waymar Formula 3

    Sep 2, 2008
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    Wayne Martin
    #3 waymar, Dec 17, 2018
    Do not recall any specific markings.
     
  4. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
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    Feb 24, 2006
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    Mike
    #4 miketuason, Dec 17, 2018
    Cut it in half and look at the cross section:D
     
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  5. FRIPS

    FRIPS Karting

    Jul 26, 2005
    106
    Toronto, ON
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    Dave
    #5 FRIPS, Dec 17, 2018
    The top of my exhaust valves - above the retainer groove, it has EL BM ST FS engraved on the outer diameter.

    This would be from an early '77 Carb motor and the valve is to the best of my knowledge original.
     
  6. scowman

    scowman F1 Rookie

    Mar 25, 2014
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    Stu Boogie
    #6 scowman, Dec 18, 2018
    Why would you think it did not have sodium valves? I would start with that presumption.
     
  7. Hinecker

    Hinecker Formula Junior

    Mar 14, 2011
    379
    #7 Hinecker, Dec 19, 2018
    Morning Motob,
    I can't answer about identification numbers, what I do know is that just by holding the valve with your hand, if it's sodium filled, it will "seem" very light for it's size.
    If you had a had a "solid' valve to compare it with, the difference can be noticed immediately. Using a magnet, doesn't tell you much, valves are made of steel or stainless steel, depending on the alloy used, some valves are not attracted to a magnet at all.
    Hope this helps!

    John.
     
  8. TripleBlack

    TripleBlack Formula Junior

    May 1, 2006
    535
    Paris, France
    #8 TripleBlack, Dec 19, 2018
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2018
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  9. JG333SP

    JG333SP Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2010
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    #9 JG333SP, Dec 19, 2018
    Super cool pics. Too bad I can't do this without pulling the head(s) off my car!

    All jokes-this really is a great pic. Look how thin the wall is on that valve stem in the top pic-that thing is at least 40 yrs old if it's in your car. Valve anxiety
     
  10. TripleBlack

    TripleBlack Formula Junior

    May 1, 2006
    535
    Paris, France
    #10 TripleBlack, Dec 19, 2018
    An image is sometimes better than a long speech, it has the merit to be cannot be clearer. ;)
     
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  11. AREA

    AREA Rookie

    Apr 10, 2009
    16
    #11 AREA, Dec 19, 2018

    Yes - broadly concur with that - have just checked original set of valves out of a UK 1980 308GTS = stamp on exhaust valve is EL 106553 M
     
  12. derekw

    derekw Formula 3

    Sep 7, 2010
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    Derek W
    #12 derekw, Dec 20, 2018
    Run a magnet along the length of the stem-- you'll feel the difference at the weld.
     
  13. Motob

    Motob Formula 3
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    Brian Brown
    #13 Motob, Dec 24, 2018
    Thanks for all of the information! I love the X-rays of the valves. I wish I could get my dentist to do that. I have to remove a valve from a head (which were previously rebuilt by another shop) to see if there are any marks on the exhaust valves and check the magnetism. The valves are old, but I don't know if they are original.
     
  14. TripleBlack

    TripleBlack Formula Junior

    May 1, 2006
    535
    Paris, France
    #14 TripleBlack, Dec 26, 2018
    I have also seen EL 106553 B but I don't know what does the letter mean. I am only sure that the "C" one is with sodium inside.
     
  15. MrDino308GT4

    MrDino308GT4 Formula Junior

    Sep 2, 2009
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    Geldermalsen NL
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    Arian
    #15 MrDino308GT4, Dec 29, 2018
    If you have to remove one valve, take no risk. Remove them all because they are now to old. The valves could have alu corrosion from the inside which you can not see.

    I can know because in my 308 was one valve broken with dramatic result....... It became a full rebuilt engine ....
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