CattleAc

iTrader: (7)

Cyl head experts...how do I tell if a set of 2004 Corvette 243 heads have the light hollow intakes and sodium filled exhaust valves...??

Did all Vette's come with the light weight valves in 04'??

Thanks in advance, I have sort of short notice on these...and I suck at the search...

Darth_V8r

iTrader: (4)

The corvette 243 were all supposed to come with sodium filled valves. You could always take one out and weigh it compared to a steel valve to be sure

CattleAc

iTrader: (7)

Thanks man...that's kinda' what I had gathered from my search...


I don't think I'll be able to pull a valve...a local yard has them at a pretty reasonable price...I think I'll just roll the dice and see...

redbird555

iTrader: (14)

Ya theres really no way to tell. If they truly came off a vette they will have them. To be fair the only way to get 243 heads in 2004 was for an ls6 which would have the light valves. The ls2 which came with 243s and standard valves didnt show up until 2005

squalor

iTrader: (3)

There is another way. The z06 valves were a bit longer. 0.0236 or 6mm

redbird555

iTrader: (14)

def not 6mm i think the conversion factor is wrong there. .025" is about .63 mm which is almost impossible to measure by eye. I tried on time when I had a set on a table next to a normal set. And theres really no way to get a measurement that accurate unless they're off the head in which case weighing them is even easier and more precise.

CattleAc

iTrader: (7)

Thanks for all the replies...I thought I was going to have to pull the trigger on these today...but I can't look at them till Mon now, so that will give me a little more time for research.

Burken01

iTrader: (88)

If you want the lightweight valves, make sure the heads are from a 02-04 ZO6 vette ls6, or from a 04-05 cts v ls6

Those are the only vehicles that came with those "ls6" valves

Burken01

iTrader: (88)

Another pic

squalor

iTrader: (3)

Your right, I left out the decimal. Carbon build up could be .02 thick but still, if CattleAc knew the length of a stock valve and went to the yard with dial calipers and a bit of sandpaper, that would be better than going with a spring compressor and gram scale. If the yard knows what they have, the price goes up.

Burken01, I saw you replied to this post where Ari G is selling a set for $300 ; still no takers. I don't understand why people would pay $250 for titanium retainers to save 5 grams but balk at $300 to save 25 grams ?

omc8

iTrader: (7)

You guys are missing the obvious , look at the springs if they are yellow then the chances are its a ZO6 and you are a winner bingo. If its a salvage yard , they should be able to provide the vin # with that can verify if its the Real McCoy.

Burken01

iTrader: (88)

not true, ls2 243 heads have yellow springs too

Also I've seen ls6 heads with orangish springs..

You have to weigh the valves, anybody can change springs as well

omc8

iTrader: (7)

True the springs could have changed. That's why I said the chances are ..... it does not guarantee its ZO6 just increases the possibly that its the real deal . OP said they where off a 2004 vette so they would not be 243 LS2 heads . But I don't think the yard is going to let him remove a valve to go weigh it . Like I said get the vin # and verify it , then you can be reasonably sure what they are . And said reasonably sure , not a guarantee with a car that's over 10 years old , and anything could have been changed.

CattleAc

iTrader: (7)

I'm pretty sure I won't be able to take these apart...I should be able to measure installed height with a caliper...I suppose it's the same...the valves are just longer...correct??

I never really gave it much thought, but when I used a LS6/Z06 "5308" cam in my 5.3 build...I needed longer pushrods because of the reduced base circle...The Z06 used stock length 7.400" pushrods...so the valves have to be longer to make up the difference for the .050" reduced base circle...correct???

A.R. Shale Targa

iTrader: (2)

Bingo........
Here's what I'd do...take a valve spring compressor and tell them that you need to check the tightness of the valve guides. Make up a story about how you once bought a set that were from an oil neglected engine and the repair costs made them junk. Pop out one In. and an Ex....you will feel the difference immediately. Obviously they need the yellow springs or else for sure they have the standard valves.

omc8

iTrader: (7)

A.R. reply makes the the most sense of all the replies if you want to go to the trouble to weight the valve. But again one more time with the Vin # , and quick call to your closest GM dealer you can verify if its a ZO6 or not . Fun, Quick and Easy if it comes back a ZO6 and has yellow springs then I would bet money on its got what you want. I would more concerned about the condition and wear of the castings than the LS6 valves . Worst case scenario your getting good 243 casting , hope your not paying more than $ 400 for these heads. Verify with the vin # and if has yellow springs buy them , if they have LS6 valves ..... Bonus.

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

I would also tell the yard you want to pull the valve and check it. If you have a stock valve in your pocket, all the better for weight comparison. If you have the tool, it will only take a minute. I would also do this yourself, I have had yards wreck parts on me that were perfectly fine because they were either lazy or didn't know what they were doing.

omc8

iTrader: (7)

In for results , did they have LS6 valves ??

Inflame

iTrader: (2)

Quick question, sorry to hi-jack... So would this be a Z06 head with light weight springs?

redbird555

iTrader: (14)

read the thread man. the only way to really know is to weigh them. ls2 243s had yellow springs and normal valve. if those 243's came off a 5.7 motor from a vette for ctsv then they have them if not then they dont