macx

Bought a low miles set of alum heads with the usual bronze guides.

Trying to take the valves out to clean up the heads, and want to
get the surface touched up.

The square edge on the stem at the top of the lock groove catches
in the guide. I tried cleaning well and using emery cloth, that only
helped on a couple valves. Then I tried chilling the top of the stems
to shrink them a tiny bit but no help. I tried tapping and twisting
a couple valves but that only brings bronze shavings in the valve
lock groove - only went in about 1/4" then back out with the valve
stem tip.

Would it help to heat the whole head to maybe 200 deg as I believe
aluminum expands more/quicker than steel, and maybe the alum
around the guides, and the guides, would expand a bit more than
the steel valve stem and open up enuf to get the valves out?

What to do - I don't want to ruin the guides!

Any info VERY welcome!

Desertdawg

If you don't need the valves, I would say to get a die grinder and cut the tops off.....Sounds like the valve ends have mushroomed just enough to not fit anymore.
Just keep using the emery cloth until they will slide out.

TLChydraulics

I would assume the keepers have made a slight mushroom at the groove or mushroomed end from the rocker and just need to be polished a bit more to allow them to slide out. I had that same problem on my 65' 396 shortly after its build, I changed heads, but needed my valves, and they were stubborn to come out also. I suppose you don't see it on more worn heads cause the guides go and allow them to fit anyway.

good luck,

Loren

Super Stock

I've had that happen to titanium valves that broke a lash cap or something. I just hand filed the mushroomed edges down.

macx

Thanks for the suggestions!

Another guy told me, also, to use a fine file and knock that
mushroomed ridge off. I guess that's why using (coarse)
emery cloth helped on a couple of them. I just didn't want
to get carried away and mess up the valves, either, till
I had some "been there done that" suggestions & advice.

Thanks again!

stingr69

I have used a stone to knock the burrs off before you remove the valve.

-Mark.

clem zahrobsky

just use a fine honeing stone to remove the burr cause by the valve keeper,do it all the time when redoing heads

Solid LT1

The valves are telling you to THROW THEM AWAY! I wouldn't use those valves for the rebuild, there is one name for valves: MANLEY (made in the US!)