What about Sodium Cooled valves. Hollow valve stems part filled with sodium. As the valves reciprocate the (now molten) sodium whizzes up and down the stem and transfers heat from the valve head all the way up the length of the valve, you still have to get the heat away from the valve but you have a head start if it is evenly distributed up the length of the part. I guess the whole valve would be heavier though.
Perhaps someone can remind me where I've seen this idea, blowed if I can remember.
Just to add that I've just done a quick google and it seems they have found their way onto a few road cars so not as radical ad idea as I thought.
Last edited by fourWheelDrift; 29 Dec 2009 at 18:06.
Reason: Comment added
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