When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Looking for some advice, granted I know these are pictures, but the condition of the valve tips & deck surface has me concerned. Can anyone tell if this is normal by looking at these pics?
I'm no expert but I do have experience with this type of wear. It's definitely abnormal, and the cause can be a number of things. In my experience it always seems to happen on the valves for cylinders one and two, likely because they supposedly get oil last, and maybe the least amount of it being towards the front of the motor.
I currently have two valves that look like this and they are on the same cylinder, number one. While I believe oiling could be a factor, I was also having high RPM valve float that was diagnosed before identifying this issue. I have to believe that the valve float caused the majority of the damage, it's just odd that the cylinder one valves we're the only ones damaged.
I went ahead and replaced the springs and have continued to run the valves as is. Probably not the most ideal thing to do but I believe they'll last a while longer. You can see the damage on the valve being mic'd in the attached photo.
The valves, that's not good, not horrible it could be ran but I wouldn't like it. Tang2 basically said what I would say. Something wrong with lube, the rocker tips or float is the most likely culprit.
So what options are out there for valves? Do most just take them to a local machinist or speed shop and have them replace the valves? I know the LS6 sodium filled valves are discontinued, but what else is everyone using - Manley? Ferrea?
So what options are out there for valves? Do most just take them to a local machinist or speed shop and have them replace the valves? I know the LS6 sodium filled valves are discontinued, but what else is everyone using - Manley? Ferrea?
I don't know how much room you have on a hollow/sodium filled valve but you could have the tips lightly grinded and make up for the length with the push rod. But there's a down side, it would lightly affect the wipe pattern in that it would start the nose over of the rocker earlier, and limit your max lift a hair. In my opinion it would be a futile attempt/fix. Unless they could take so little off that it would be a non issue. Hard to say from a pic.
I would say that my all in budget would be $500-$700 with the new valves and valve job. It just raises some questions I have with my options at that price range with going other directions.
I am no expert, IF your cam lift is over 550' lift then you need to use roller rockers. It looks as if your stock ls1 ROCKERS started to sheer/flex of to one side.
Looking for some advice, granted I know these are pictures, but the condition of the valve tips & deck surface has me concerned. Can anyone tell if this is normal by looking at these pics?
how many miles on them, and what setup were you running?
I am no expert, IF your cam lift is over 550' lift then you need to use roller rockers. It looks as if your stock ls1 lifters started to sheer/flex of to one side.
i think you meant rockers, not lifters. and there are quite a number of folks that do just fine with stock rocker bodies well over .600"
I'm no expert but I do have experience with this type of wear. It's definitely abnormal, and the cause can be a number of things. In my experience it always seems to happen on the valves for cylinders one and two, likely because they supposedly get oil last, and maybe the least amount of it being towards the front of the motor.
I currently have two valves that look like this and they are on the same cylinder, number one. While I believe oiling could be a factor, I was also having high RPM valve float that was diagnosed before identifying this issue. I have to believe that the valve float caused the majority of the damage, it's just odd that the cylinder one valves we're the only ones damaged.
i remember experiencing some valve tip damage a very long time ago, i assumed it was from float, but it looked nothing like this. makes me wonder now...
no matter. no longer have those heads or even that engine...
i think you meant rockers, not lifters. and there are quite a number of folks that do just fine with stock rocker bodies well over .600"
YES I meant rockers. I understand for a while you can get away with it but over time it starts to wear. I LS1 & LS6 cam have 498' and 525' lift. Adding 1.85 rockers to a LS6 cam brings you to 550' lift.
The early LS6(and LS2) cam has .525 lift on both valves. The late LS6 has .551/.547 lift. Both on 1.7 rockers. So you will get more lift than this with 1.8 rockers.
I bought the heads as is, so I can't say the condition of the pushrod. I couldn't pass up a good deal on these heads. I just priced Manley valves at $240 for the intake & exhaust.
I bought the heads as is, so I can't say the condition of the pushrod. I couldn't pass up a good deal on these heads. I just priced Manley valves at $240 for the intake & exhaust.
Wow, that seems like a hell of a deal. Where did you find them?
12-28-2017, 01:57 PM
Machinist and Cylinder head experts INSIDE: HELP 
