from new valves that I've seen, the ends of valve stems are gounbd usually with a sharp edge along the side.
Now I have some used valves that seem to be slightly rounded edge; the top is flat as far as I can tell so ....
1. how can you tell if the valve stem ends need to be ground?
2. how would one do this at home without specialist tools (bench grinder/drill pres/angle grinder) to ensre the end is square?
3. will grinding remove the case hardening?
BTW these are x-flow valves.
I would do no mods to the valve, just asking for a stress crack to form.
1: if its grooved or concave or scratched.
2: no idea. Make a valve grinding machine I guess. Best to hire out. Its cheap.
3:most valves have a small peice of hardened steel welded to the ends of them for the rocker to ride on. Can be hard to see but this is what allows
the end to be hard enough to survive the wear. No case hardening usually. Some valves are one time only use, but rarely on cars we can afford.
Cheers.
Dont worry about the edge. Its the seating face u need to worry about.
Do u mean the actual valve end or the other end??
Which bit is round?
quote:
Now I have some used valves that seem to be slightly rounded edge; the top is flat as far as I can tell so ....
meant the stem - the bit that the rockers push down on.
I would be bothered by the end and I'd rather have it flat as the cam will touch it in a line rather than a point if it was curved
What engine?
Valve stem height is criticle on the pinto especially with re cut seats and high lift cams.
Grinding the stem top can easily cut through any case hardning and lead to very quick wear
Leave then as is, the rocker arm operates on the flat face on top of the valve. Leaving them square will not harm the rocker arm.