[QuenchPiston]

Read this in engine builder and thought it was an interesting process these multi million dollar budget teams are working on. Perhaps in 10 or 20 years it will work its way into grassroots racing and rodding.

"In 2007, NASCAR rule changes will require the use of unleaded gasoline instead of the leaded gasoline that has been used. This will probably require the use of thin film coatings on the valve stems and seats to prevent wear.

One valve supplier we interviewed said some NASCAR engine builders are now using an "isotropic" treatment process on their titanium valves. The valves are placed in a vibratory machine filled with ceramic pellets and liquid. When the machine is turned on, the oddly-shaped ceramic pellets scrub and polish the surface of the valves, producing a non-directional surface finish that is reportedly free from microscopic peaks and stress risers. The treatment, which takes about 10 hours, reduces friction, helps the valves run up to 20 percent cooler and improves durability. It also works great on gears and similar parts." (Larry Carley, Performance Valves, retrieved Dec. 2006)
http://www.engine-builder.com/

[Deuce]

Interesting read ... I think I will move this to the engine area ...

Deuce ....

[Jmark]

sounds similar to what the company does that recently bought out Crane Cams.

[Bumpstick]

Sounds like the old rock polisher kits we used to get...?

Oh and I noticed at a buddies transmission shop that they have a home made tumbler for "steels" to take the directional finish off of them for re-use...

Might work great with connecting rods...?

[FEDDO]

While we are all worried about longer life, the real problem is going to be fuel. The reason we have high octane fuel is driven by nascar.if the demand drops off as it will, where is the drag racer going to be, or the person with the 114 octane only?there is going to be a problem for those of us with high comp egines like some of the super stockers.

[CNC BLOCKS NE]

The biggest reason for going to the unleaded fuel is when Randy Dorten was killed in the terrible plane crash a couple of years ago when the did the autopsy they found elevated signs of lead in his system and could beleive that he did not have more health issues the he had and then they tested the guys in the engine shop and found they had elevated signs of lead in there system and thats when Nascar announced they were going to an unleaded fuel in the future to protect the health of the people who work with the fuels.

[steve t]

in 2025 it will be elec cars racing,you heard it here first

[QuenchPiston]

I really don't want to bring it up but I think the other racing leagues that use alcohol are probably saying "told ya so".

[FUEL]

Yep, The Busch race here (Gateway Raceway-st. louis) this past summer was the first full blown test for the unleaded fuel and they said there were no problems at all.

That's pretty neat about the valve treatment. Sorta reminds me of those jewelry cleaners......

Dave

[johnsongrass1]

Originally Posted by CNC BLOCKS N/E

The biggest reason for going to the unleaded fuel is when Randy Dorten was killed in the terrible plane crash a couple of years ago when the did the autopsy they found elevated signs of lead in his system and could beleive that he did not have more health issues the he had and then they tested the guys in the engine shop and found they had elevated signs of lead in there system and thats when Nascar announced they were going to an unleaded fuel in the future to protect the health of the people who work with the fuels.

Me too......

[gow589]

Never thought of it that way before! You take 300K people, put them in a confined area and smoke them with exhaust from leaded fuel! I love it! Explains a lot!

[1ownerT]

The push for unleaded fuel in NA$CAR happened before Dorton died.

[QuenchPiston]

Originally Posted by 1ownerT

The push for unleaded fuel in NA$CAR happened before Dorton died.

Could you elaborate on that 1ownerT, why, where, when, who and how? I have not been fowling NASCAR like I use to.

[1ownerT]

" NASCAR is exempt from the 1970 Clean Air Act, which required the transition to unleaded fuel for all automobiles. But the series has worked to find an unleaded substitute for years. Nelson had said there were problems finding a fuel that provided the same lubrication as lead. The new fuel alleviates that problem without using MTBE, an additive that had been considered in the past but was rejected because it was barred in some states as a health hazard.
“We’ve been back and forth to the drawing board for several years to find an unleaded fuel that is compatible with NASCAR engines. NASCAR congratulates Sunoco and is proud of the progress it made on developing a fuel that works in NASCAR engines,” said Gary Nelson, NASCAR’s vice president of research and development. NASCAR tested a number of possible alternative fuels in recent years, but none that didn’t cause engine problems. NASCAR tested an unleaded product in its NASCAR Busch Series in the late 1990s. However, the tests were unsatisfactory and required the sanctioning body to conduct further research. Other fuel solutions were incompatible and led to engine failure. NASCAR began testing the current unleaded fuel, Sunoco 260 GTX, last fall at its Research & Development Center in Concord, NC. The fuel will be used in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, NASCAR Busch Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.(NASCAR PR)(1-21-2005)
NASCAR's John Darby addressed the subject of unleaded fuel Saturday morning, the matter again coming up in garage conversations after a five-year lull. "It's something we have to be prepared for," he said, "but it's not like somebody has got the vise turned up on us imminently. There has been talk that govenment and environmental agencies would require NASCAR to phase in unleaded fuel as early as next year, but Darby did not indicate that was the case.(8-22-2004)
http://www.jayski.com/teams/fuel-sponsor.htm

[QuenchPiston]

Originally Posted by 1ownerT

" NASCAR l]

Cool and thanks a lot 1ownerT. I hate that MTBE and what it did to the well water in parts of Pennsylvania and the crooked legislation that went along with it limiting law suits against its manufactures. I would love to force some oil company big wigs to drink a glass a water a day with a few drops of MTBE in it. I wonder if they would drink it..........HMMMMMMMMM!