The V8 Owners Forum -

Hi,

Despite my rebuild taking ages (for various reasons), I've finally got the heads on and am fitting the rocker assembly.

I have a shim kit for the rocker assembly posts, and eventually I worked out how to do the preload. However, I get big variations between valves. At first I wasn't sure why, because practically everything is new (new rods, camshaft, tappets, valves, rockers etc).

Then I took the assembly off and looked at the valve tops, and sure enough they are different heights - I have had the valve seats re-cut, and they've obviously had different amounts cut out.

Whats the best option?
- Take the heads off and get the seats re-cut again (another huge wait but best outcome)
- Make do with a couple of valves with under or over preload tolerence
- Get adjustable push-rods

Any suggestions?

thanks
Sammy

I would get the valves recut properly. Maybe the place that did it before can be persuaded to do it right next time!

Chris.

Put a straight edge across the valve tops so you can get some measurements for the guys who did the valves.

I guess when they re cut they have some way of making sure that the cuts are all the same depth?

I have had this issue myself once - which made me realise that you do have to tell the guys that cut the valves that they must all be the same.

Chris.

Thanks for replies, I'll take the heads off and get the seats cut again to the same depth.
Will I be able to re-use the composite head gaskets?

Head gaskets are not reusable unfortunately.

Chris.