Non-Matching Valves, am I too Picky?

[LameHoof65]

Well, I called the O'reilly Auto parts store just a block over from my place on Tuesday to order a set of valves for my E0 250 head and just picked them up tonite..Got them home and they look funky to me. Of course I like uniformity and these are'nt...the Intake valves are fairly uniform but the exhaust valves----well, three have center recess about an 1/8th inch and about 1/64th deep, and one has a disturbing smaller center recess and two are completely flat. These are Sealed Power valves, I guess a subsidiary of Federal Mogul. Should I take the whole set back and get my money...It came to about $67.00. I am thinking the lack of uniformity may cause some problems.. :roll: Would like some feedback soon, so if I need to take them back, I can before they close tomorrow. :

 

[wsa111]

Darwin, take them back. get a matching set of valves.
If you have a later cylinder head with the 1 3/4 intakes, get a set of quality valves from mike at www.fordsixparts.com
Mike also has oversize valves for the exhaust also. William

 

[LameHoof65]

That's what I was thinking as well, should have ordered the FSPP way the first time . How long does it usually take to get the FSPP valves? And if I go ahead and order the teflon seals...how much machining is involved?

 

[Asa]

what's the reasoning to take 'em back?

i know that when blueprinting an engine, you make sure that everything's as close to spec, and sets of parts need to be as close to each other as possible
i doubt that a difference in the weight of the valves would matter in a street engine, but that's the closest reasoning i could think of
either that or just a simple manufacturing defect

 

[AzCoupe]

I have oversized and stock valves in stock, so I can have them to you in a couple days.

Call your machine shop to get prices for installing the Teflon Seals and/or Oversized Valves (with new seats). The Port Flow Series oversized valves are awesome.

SI Port Flow Series Valves (set of 12)
These valves feature an undercut stem in the head area. In addition to reducing the valve weight (which provides benefits in opening rate and RPM limits) the radius of the head is such that it significantly improves air/fuel flow. They are fully swirl polished with chromed stems and Stellite tips. Ideal for street and light racing applications.

Exhaust 5/16" 1.50 Intake 5/16" 1.75

 

[LameHoof65]

Well, my reasoning is that I expect decent work when I purchase something. I should have looked at them closer in the store. I went to tech school when I was a kid and I know what quality is---and what isn't and these aren't. I could kick myself when I get in a hurry....It probably would not be that big of deal, but when you have been graded for quality and then someone sells you something like that it is hard not to go back and hold them accountable, at least it's hard for me. Besides, I think we dismiss to much and accept to little for our money these days. Oh, man I am on the bandwagon now, man---don't even get me going..It's the black dutch of my old man coming out. Gee, man thanks--this has been very therapeutic, I like a release like this on a Friday,now all I need is that cold draft in the fridge....ah!

 

[strat1960s]

Here goes.
The varriances in the valves will give you inconsistent cylinder volumes. This may or may not affect your compression ratio. I am sure you are anxious to get your head and motor up and running, but I have to agree with the other posts. Take the valves back and get another set that is more uniform.

Ted

 

[Lazy JW]

Darwin,
Truth is, you would never be able to tell the difference in actual performanc with the mis-matched valves. The 300 in my F-350 has mis-matched valves in it right now (several valves needed replaced when I did the valve job) and I have seen engines running with one cylinder bored .030" over with no problems. But that really isn't what you are asking. You have gone to considerable effort to build a sweet running engine, this will always be in the back of your mind as long as you own it, and the main point is, you PAID FOR new parts, not mis-matched junk! Take 'em back and deal with someone who doesn't try to cheat you.
Joe

 

[LameHoof65]

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback I get here. Well, I did take the valves back this morning. Before I left this morning, I took a copy of a downloaded Pic of the FSPP valves., i.e. " a picture is worth a 1000 words". No one likes to hear their stuff is sub-standard. Anyway, it was'nt the young fella' I dealt with last evening, so I told him how I messed up on purchasing the wrong valves and then gave him a picture of what I really need for this build. When I told him I could get these in the "stock" form at about the same price, that pretty much was all that was necessary. The guy was very nice, and assured me at that price and with what looks like great quality he would be hard pressed to get me anything like that from his performance vendors. He did want to know who was selling the valves and I of course told him it was on the internet at fordsix performance parts. 8)

 

[Anonymous]

Glad you took them back I would have wanted all of them to match. Seems like this day and time, stores sell you what they want you to have instead of what you want. I bought a set of tires one time from a store that I had bought from for years. The guy loaded them in my car (I mount/balance my own ) and when I got home, discovered he gave me 2 blackwall and 2 whitewall. I was going to run the black out anyhow, but was kinda irritated that he wouldn't even mention the fact that they were different and make sure it was OK. I started buying all my tires online after that. Guess I am too picky, but what is right is right.

 

[addo]

I recently had a set of pistons for one motor with a "segment" shaped wedge cut out of the top. Got online, found the segment formula, calced it out and obtained the volume. Amount? ½cc. Wondered after, why I bothered.

So, yep, you can be too fussy. But the biggest issue I could forsee is the surface temperatures may vary with the different profiles - you might get some pots effectively running a little hotter.

 

[LameHoof65]

I've been told before that I'm a little too persnickety, that's why I posted. I don't want to be a nit-pic, but I have always been that way. I am tons better able to handle assymetry, eccentricty, nuances and flaws than I use to be, but not when it comes to machinery and parts. I am the kind of guy that wants all the tires to have equal pressure:roll: Yep, OC, just a little. Anyhow it worked out, I ordered the parts from fspp and am sure I will be pleased.