[Shotimes] adjusting valve lash by machining valve stems

[Leigh Smith]

Ian;
It's rather common practice to shorten the valve tips slightly when new
valve seats are ground. Grinding seats raises the valve tip, and it is
necessary to shorten in it on some engines just to keep the geometry
correct. On our engines I'd do that to keep the shim stack in the
"available" range. I doubt they would ever get it good enough that the old
shim would give you perfect valve lash, but they can try!
At least you wouldn't have to adjust it very far.

Lee

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ian Fisher" <dataflash@yahoo.com>
To: <shotimes@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2004 10:29 PM
Subject: [Shotimes] adjusting valve lash by machining valve stems


> I wanted to get the list's opinion on shimming valve
> clearances by actually machining down the valve stem
> instead of replacing shims. This was provided to me as
> an alternative method today. It sounded horrific at
> first but now that I think about it it doesn't seem
> like a bad idea. The clearances can be adjusted more
> accurately without the need to purchase any shims. The
> valve would still open and close normally...
>
> My only issue is that I am installing +20's into my
> soon to be rebuilt heads. If I have the valves
> adjusted for those, I wouldn't be able to swap back to
> stock or +40's without using shims. Hopefully the
> shims could make up the difference.
>
> I'm also installing bronze valve guides. The shop is
> going to machine the valve seats as well to make sure
> they are as good as they can get. They said that
> machining the seat will also tighten up my valve
> clearances. Interesting..
>
> comments?
>
> Ian
>
>
>
>
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