Interesting

[cudabob496]

Just read that the NASCAR 358 cu in V8 Engines are designed only to last 600 miles, can rev to 10,000 rpm, and
the valve covers are full of oil to completely submerge the valve springs.  Also, from 2007, they switched from carbs
to fuel injection, but still admit that they can make a little more top end power with a carb.
Valve lift is about .950 inches. Still the basic single cam overhead valve design. Pretty wild!

[Chryco Psycho]

Sound right , bend a coathanger between your fingers rapidly , it gets hot fast ! A valve spring is doing the same thing only at 6000 rpm 100 times / second , almost double that at 10,000 rpm  , a lot of heat is made in the valve springs having them submerged only makes sense to take the heat away

[cudabob496]

Now here's a question: After 600 miles, what breaks first? Article did not say.
I'll guess something in the valve train? Maybe the valve springs weaken, and valves
start floating?

[dodj]

I'm surprised the valve covers are full of oil. I would have thought the oil would add resistance to the spring action.

For a little more trivia, an F1 engine can rev to 20,000 rpm but is limited to 18,000, and has no valve springs. Uses pneumatic valves because springs just can't do things that fast.

[cudabob496]

I'm surprised the valve covers are full of oil. I would have thought the oil would add resistance to the spring action.

For a little more trivia, an F1 engine can rev to 20,000 rpm but is limited to 18,000, and has no valve springs. Uses pneumatic valves because springs just can't do things that fast.

Ya, the NASCAR engines could be a lot more high tech, but they have a lot of rules to keep the engines close to what we drive on the street. One concern they have is how does the engine/cars sound when they roar past the crowd. They want to preserve some of the old American racing traditions.

There's a special drain valve that drains the oil before you pull the valve cover.

[dodj]

Haven't been to a nascar race yet, but went to Montreal for a F1 Grand Prix. The exhaust note was ear splitting. You had to wear ear plugs or your ears would hurt - a lot.