Valve designs??

[JSM]

I was browsing the jy the other day and looking at all the heads laying around. I'm curios as to why their shape is always round ? Is this due to machining and maintenance issues? Some valves are so small I wonder why they don't use a larger egg shaped design? From a surface area perspective I would think a larger egg shapped valve would be easier no?

 

I guess I'm most curious as to why round only? There could be much fewer parts with a oval shape and still close to the same flow no?

 

Just thinking. You guys can tell me to stop anytime!

 

Please forgive spelling. On iPhone at dr. Office.

Edited March 13, 2010 by JSM

[MAG58]

Off the top of my head:

 

1. Corners are hard to seal.

2. Valves rotate. Keeping a valve from rotating would drastically increase wear. Making sure it doesn't rotate at all to maintain seal would be even more difficult.

[thrustnut]

You should take a look at that motorcycle engine video that was posted on here a while back to get an idea of how much the valve and springs rotate at high engine RPM's. I would think an automotive valve would rotate less because it's not turning 14,000 RPM, but I'm sure there is still rotation.

[JSM]

Ah didn't think about that. I would think that would be solved with "keying" the valve no? Or do you think that would increase the wear on the valve or the seat to much?

[thrustnut]

I think it would increase wear on everything, more parts to break, ect. I'm sure it's been tried somewhere. I think it falls into the "if it's not broke, don't fix it" category.