F1 Pneumatic Valve Spring, a closer look

[Brett54]

Why a separate unit that bolts ONTO the head, rather than components that fit into a bore in the head casting (aka RA806E)?

[Brett54]

Why a separate unit that bolts ONTO the head, rather than components that fit into a bore in the head casting (aka RA806E)?

Is this from a Cosworth TJ V10 with Beam Head?

[Facts Only]

Why a separate unit that bolts ONTO the head, rather than components that fit into a bore in the head casting (aka RA806E)?

Is this from a Cosworth TJ V10 with Beam Head?

It has a 'CA' part number so I assume its from a CA V8

[Brian.G]

Why a separate unit that bolts ONTO the head, rather than components that fit into a bore in the head casting (aka RA806E)?

Far lighter end result I would imagine. Also easier for micro drilling various passages too, not to mention that 'billet' alloy can be trusted fully in terms of air tightness in comparison to some cast areas. Also replaceable with ease.

Brian,

[Dec]

Excellent post again Brian! Thank you once again for the effort

Regards,

Dec

[Brian.G]

Excellent post again Brian! Thank you once again for the effort

Regards,

Dec

Thanks Dec!

Brian,

[Mert]

does this system have some sort of tappet that the cam lobe rides on? Could you post a pic please. Also you're a hero for spending your money on these items to just tear apart and share with us plebs.

[Brian.G]

does this system have some sort of tappet that the cam lobe rides on? Could you post a pic please. Also you're a hero for spending your money on these items to just tear apart and share with us plebs.

Hello there - it uses a dlc coated finger follower between valve stem tip and cam lobe - I'll post a pic of one tomorrow - have one here.

Brian,

[Brian.G]

Here is the dlc coated finger follower as mentioned - the cam lobe runs on the back of the finger follower - the left hand side of part,



So I got a bit of time to start a test rig for the Pneumatic Valve Spring assembly. I want to do a little bit of testing on it in terms of pressures and so on so a little fixture was required.

Luckily its an easy rig to make with Part 1 shown below, offcut of 6082-T6 and away we go -



Adding seat angles,





Fitting the valve guide,





Drilling the holes to bolt on the Pneumatic Valve Spring assembly, plus the air feed hole. The air hole just .75mm in diameter,





Adding the counter-bored face and hole for banjo air fitting,





Slots in sides to lighten and allow visibility,



And that's Part 1 of the test rig done.







Brian,

[MrPotatoHead]

Looks good!

[djos]

Great work Brian, I wish I had room for a CNC or Milling Machine!

[MrPotatoHead]

What CNC do you have anyway?

[jtveg]

Thanks for such an in depth breakdown of a quite significant part in F1 engines.

I wasn't aware they were so simple with so few components.

[riff_raff]

Brian,

A very ambitious project! Thanks for sharing details of your progress. Can you provide some details of your test set up? What do you plan to use for instrumentation, data acquisition, etc?

[dren]

I can't believe I missed this earlier. Always great posts and detailed analysis of components. Thanks Brian!