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Hey guys, I have a set of LS6 valves that were damaged due to a failed oil pump. I am planning to repair them by grinding the tips, but I am worried about going through the case hardened layer. If that does happen would I be able to use lash caps? These two are representative of the rest, and there is no other damage to them.
Hey everyone
Do you have one not so damaged? If so, look for a very small line around the exhaust valve tip down about 1/16" or so. If I recall, the hardened tips are welded on.
I'm going to have to agree with etijsma. I'm in the same boat as you right now, and my valves don't look that bad compared to yours. For the cost of all new valves, you'll have peace of mind. The cost for gaskets alone to pull your heads again are price enough to spend 150 bucks on new valves. Here are mine. My new valves will be in today hopefully.
Do you have one not so damaged? If so, look for a very small line around the exhaust valve tip down about 1/16" or so. If I recall, the hardened tips are welded on.
I've always been under the impression that these valves are case hardened.
Originally Posted by farmington
realize that with altered valves you might end up needing two different length pushrods.
Both intake and exhaust valves are damaged. I planned to machine them all to the same length.
Originally Posted by etijsma
Why not just buy new valves? I think I bought some for $7 each from rock auto?
I cant image it's even work screwing around and trying to half *** it. Buy new valves and hand lap them in.
Keep in mind that these are LS6 valves, so they certainly don't cost $7 a piece-if you can find them. I certainly don't half *** anything I do.
Originally Posted by PowellSixO
I'm going to have to agree with etijsma. I'm in the same boat as you right now, and my valves don't look that bad compared to yours. For the cost of all new valves, you'll have peace of mind. The cost for gaskets alone to pull your heads again are price enough to spend 150 bucks on new valves. Here are mine. My new valves will be in today hopefully.
That's funny, we both posted a thread with very similar questions at nearly the same time. These didn't come out of the engine that's currently in my car. These came off the shelf from a different engine that had a failed oil pump a few years ago. The plan for them was to repair them, and put them into a pair of 5.3 heads I'm working on. Since I plan to swap heads either way. These valves cost me nothing so If they aren't repairable, no harm, no foul.
A machine shop should be able to repair that if the damage isn't too deep. My local shop will grind the 45 degree seat cut on the valve and grind the tips for a nice straight surface whenever they do any valve job. I've had it done on several sets of LS valves and the hardening is deep enough to grind. It may be one of those things where you just have to try it to see if it cleans up.
You could also check some of the head shops (e.g., Livernois, etc.) to see if they have take outs. They did have the light LS6 valves at one time, but I think those are getting rare these days. But upgraded heads with larger valves results in a stock set of valves on the shelf.
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Valve machining 
