Valve stem height variance

[John Milner]

I am going to be installing some 452 heads on my 440.  There are a couple of exhaust valves that the stem height is taller than the other valves. When I put a straight edge across the top, the valve that it the tallest is about .011 taller than the others.  Should I take this valve out and machine the stem down some to be even with the others?  Or would .011 not mess with my valve train geometry and preload? I am not running adjustable rockers.

[Nacho-RT74]

Once I asked about that and I recall the answer was 0.020 diff was still decent.

If I was to correct something would make it at the valve seats on heads.

[John Milner]

Thanks Nacho.  I may let it go if the .011 won't hurt anything. 

[c00nhunterjoe]

I would cc the cambers. Could be nothing. Could be sunk valves. If the heads are off, i would tear down and inspect before you potenitally install a basket case.

[Nacho-RT74]

I had a bigger difference when installed bigger valves on my 452s and had to take them back to the machine shop to get them equalized as posible but I requested make the job at the valve seats.

[c00nhunterjoe]

Make sure they are not half assing it or you will end up with every head on a different cc and valves sunk into the seats with crap flow. Thus leaving you with garbage, detonation, and sorrow.

[Kern Dog]

....And possibly some erectile dysfunction.

[John Milner]

....And possibly some erectile dysfunction.

That all sounds terrible. I'll make sure this is correct before they go on the engine. Thank you all for the advise, it is appreciated.