My Valves and Pistons - Feedback Please

On valve guides: when I rebuilt my engine it had 75k miles so I bought a new set of valve guides assuming the old ones would be worn. They were not, the machinist showed me they were actually a shade tighter than the new ones and did not need replacing. He said that guides don't wear if they are set up correctly with the valve "true" in the guide because it doesn't put and twist torque on the guide, so they don't wear. YMMV.

I took the valves out tonight and there is a bit of carbon buildup where the valve seats into the head. Is it alright to wire wheel this area or is it too delicate there. The way it is now, the carbon will prevent the valve from seating correctly and creating a good seal.

Will lapping take care of this?

HerrDeacon wrote:

I took the valves out tonight and there is a bit of carbon buildup where the valve seats into the head. Is it alright to wire wheel this area or is it too delicate there. The way it is now, the carbon will prevent the valve from seating correctly and creating a good seal.

Will lapping take care of this?

I recall I soaked it with penetrating oil (I use Kroil) and then attacked with a scotchbrite pad.

wire wheel

ewww... Be careful here!
I'm no expert by any means but wire wheels are steel and will cut/deep scratch aluminum, possibly not the best way to go for cleaning that carbon off....

Then again, WTF do I know.... :huh:

If you do choose this option, definitely use a fine cut wire wheel...

wire wheel the seats and valves just dont get carried away.stick the valves in the guides and give em the rock test,if they dont wiggle side to side use em !:laugh: i dont believe in lapping valves just have em touched up on a machine ,that way you can make sure theyre straight also at same time.definately use new seals and measure your old springs before reusing them.

you can wire brush the back of the valves nad inside the ports,, just be careful,,, or soak the valves springs and small parts in carb cleaner, it will soften up the crap, spray carb cleaner will help on the inside of the ports also

Ok, thanks guys. I'll be careful with this work. I have it soaking in Seafoam now, hope that will soften it up a bit. I'll work on it tonight.

Thanks again, appreciate the feedback.