430 locked-up!

[63-4drpost]

was driving my 1960 T-Bird today, ran fine. Got back into town, doing about 15 MPH, and it started knocking, like something against the fan, so I shut if off and coasted to the curb. Got out and looked for any signs of anything hitting the fan, looked okay. I got back in the car and tried starting it. the engine turned about 1 rotation, then locked up. first thing comes to mind is those 50 year-old 427 Ford sodium exhaust valves I thought I was so smart to use..I have a 351Cleveland ,stroked to 408, sitting in my garage.May just be time for a swap.

[tbird430]

OUCH!!

I hate reading these stories.... (I'd keep the 430cid though)


-Jon in TX

[63-4drpost]

sodium valve

I pulled the valve covers off today, and the rocker arms. When i removed the rockr arms from the drivers side, the #8 exhaust valve spring and about 2" of the valve come off too.It pulled the valve stem apart! Right whrer the sodium cavity starts. If I just would have listened to those of you who told me it was ricky, I would still be driving it instead of spending more money on it.

[simplyconnected]

...When i removed the rockr arms from the drivers side, the #8 exhaust valve spring and about 2" of the valve come off too. It pulled the valve stem apart! Right whrer the sodium cavity starts. If I just would have listened to those of you who told me it was ricky, I would still be driving it instead of spending more money on it.

I believe it was Mike Gaffney that warned about the hollow-sodium valves:

...I would be very leery of using those old sodium cooled valves. Sodium is very corrosive combine that with their age and they are an accident waiting to happen. Mike

Regardless, we are all sad to hear your valve cut loose and we hope your damage is minimal. - Dave

[tbird430]

Oouch.....