i just took my 350 valves out of my heads and noticed that there is a bit of wear on the stem of the valve.....just about .001-.002 of wear just below were the o-ring lies....are these valves shot? or can i get away with using them?....and some are better then others...some have no wear.....if i do need new valves were can i get them for a good price.....im not in the mood for paying 15 each for them.....$15x16 valves....umm no...not in the budget at all lol.......help me out please....

 

i'd try to guess the factory diameter, but i'm sure i'd miss it (.3425 or so i think). best to check a manual for the max wear allowed and measure it with a good (reads .0001) mike.

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ICON Motorsports

1st & 3rd
MM Black Diamond 538 F&AM

 

the manual didnt say how much wear is allowed....so thats y im turning to here.....anyone know what i chould do?

 

put the valve in the head and measure clearance side to side with a dial indicator. GM service limit is .0037 intake and .0047 exhaust max.

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85 IROC 350 11:1keith blacks,.555lift erson roller cam,1.5 crane roller rockers,edelbrock intake,holley 4150 750dbl pumper, nitrous oxide,full length heddman headers,true dual exhaust, 11"stall converter, 700R4, 3.73 locker

 

That would only measure the guide wear though. Usually the guide is softer material (cast or bronze) so it wears first.

Could it be where the factory machined a step in the valve or is it definatly wear.

 

now that i think about it the guide should wear not the valve, so i'd think and wear on the valve would mean you need a new valve. checking the guide wear with an indicator would be the thing to do i believe.

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ICON Motorsports

1st & 3rd
MM Black Diamond 538 F&AM

 

The guide usually wears first, but Ive seen cases where it doesnt. .001 is acceptable, but of course you would prefer none. .002 is probably shot. The real test is to open the valve to 1/2 of its max lift (with the cam it had) and check the side clearance. If its too much, either the guides or valves are the problem, and at least one has to be fixed. If there is alot of scoring on the valve stem, I would trash it.