[TheForge] Sodium filled valves

[Peter Fels & Phoebe Palmer]

Thanks gents; I'll toss the rest of mine then.  pf

Andrew Vida wrote:
> 
> Ron Childers wrote:
>> A friend who recently joined our group was given a bucket of engine valves
>> and wants to "make things out of them". He has no idea what kind of vehicles
>> the valves came from.
>>
>> The old air cooled VW and Chevrolet valves are ok, but not knowing, I told
>> him not to do anything with them 'til I consulted my panel of experts. I
>> have heard forging or cutting the sodium-filled valves could be hazardous.
>>
>> 1. Is there a way to tell for certain which ones contain sodium?
> 
> 	Sodium is used almost exclusively in larger engines, most often 
> air-cooled.  Look for a convex face - a strong clue.  Also, look for a 
> hardened stem end that shows a clear demarcation line between it and the 
> rest of the stem.  This is where the sodium was put into the valve and 
> the end brazed on.  Chances are you will find zero evidence of a braze 
> line, tolerances being what they need to be there.
> 
> 	I used to have many of these from old P&W and Franklin radial aero-engines.
>> 2. What happens if they are heated in a forge?
> 
> 	Nothing at first.  With heat, the sodium melts.  When you hit it  and 
> the valve ruptures, you will be splattered with molten and WILDLY 
> burning pure sodium metal.  You will be severely injured and maimed, if 
> not killed outright.  Therefore DO NOT MESS WITH THEM.  Do not even open 
> them up because the sodium will begin to burn almost immediately on 
> contact with O2.  IIRC, they are either under vacuum or partial vacuum, 
> filled with a gas such as argon or helium.  Once ablaze, you will 
> probably instinctively attempt to put it out with water and will them be 
> in for yet another surprise most unpleasant.
> 
> 	In the old piston-engined airliner days an engine fire requiring  a 
> ditch into water was one of a pilot's nightmare's because of the worry 
> of breached valves meeting sea water.  All that burning magnesium didn't 
> make things any better, either.
>> 3. Cut with a chop saw? 
> 
> 	Only if you do not value your life.
>> 4. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge of misadventures involving
>> sodium-filled valves?
> 
> 	Been there.  Done that.  'nuff said.
>> I heard in aircraft mechanics school that many engines do have sodium-filled
>> valves and that it's a bad idea to try to make punches or drifts out of
>> them.
> 
> 	You heard right.
> _______________________________________________
> Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> theforge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.photoaccess.com
> Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
> password:  anvil
> ___________
> 
> 
>