Why would low lift head flow hurt power?

How much are you lifting your valves off the seats? If you are not lifting the valve above say 0.500" a 30° seat may flow a tad bit better. The problem with the 30° seats is valve seal. A number of the OEMs used 30° seats in the 50's. Valve spring technology did not lend itself to high lift very well. Also materials in cam and lifters were not very compatible to high spring loads and fast ramp rates. Engines then that exceeded 6000RPM were rare for street use. Again we get back to intended use. What works for you may not be what other people expect.


You’re kidding right? So every OEM almost EVER got it wrong? With .450 lift they damned well should have had 30 degree seats.

And you’re thinking that 30 degree seats don’t seal or won’t live is DEAD wrong. Millions of pontiacs had 30 degree seats and went hundreds of millions miles with them and they sealed.

Diesels use a 37.5 seat and how many miles do they go?

I’ll say it again. Curtain area is over played. If it was THAT CRITICAL every lift rule engine EVER would have 30 degree seats and no one I know does that.