PICKING UP STEM HEIGHT When working on GM cylinder heads like the LS series, that have a short tip length, you may need to have the valve shortened for correct stem height. The valve tip may set below the retainer. I use my Sunnen cap grinder to remove .020 from top...
LESS IS MORE Many of us that resurface cylinder heads are use to mounting cylinder heads on a milling bar or clamping fixture and then leveling them to the machine. Most modern heads, and some older ones have the valve cover rail machined parallel with the deck...
HALF VALVE GAUGE I cut old valves in half to make a quick tool, when doing valve jobs. It is quicker than dividers or lapping. When installed in the head, you can see exactly where the valves are seating. Scott Ouellette Powerplay Automotive Machine Wilmington, MA...
DON’T BUST THAT GUIDE If you’ve been having problems breaking off the end of a valve guide, on the spring end of the guide, when installing thin wall guides, I may have a solution. I machine from the spring cup side of the head instead of the valve seat side. You will...
WOODIN’ YOU LIKE SOME I have made a variety of valve holders, each made for different head configurations. I make them out of wood and drill holes matching the head configuration so I can replace the valves back into the same valve guides. The attached example is...
HEAD POST Sometimes it’s easier to work on something if you can get it a little higher up in the air. I made a steel post with a tapered end to hold cylinder heads up high above the assembly bench. The single post allows me to swing the head around easily and it is...