I've got a 1950 8BA truck motor being redone, and I'm shopping for valves. I know to stay away from the kits with the Chevy valves, as I've read they're .10" too long...add that to the fact that the block has already been redone to stock, meaning I need to find the dimensions for stock valves. I know they're listed as 4.817" long, .341" stem diameter, but the hang up is the actual valve diameter. I read where it's listed as 1.56"; however, the "STOCK" ford valves that were pulled from it are about 1.5" in diameter....1.5125" to be exact. I can tell that there's been at least one valve replacement job in its past, finding 3 different style of valves so far. However, FORD script on them or not, they are all the same specs. Anyone know what the TRUE measurement is supposed to be? Also, how would these "off spec" Ford valves have worked for the previous owner (not very well, perhaps??? LOL)
Just order '50 Ford valves (be sure you don't need '51-53. If replacing all parts use '49-50 ones no matter what) from any of the good places like C&G, Sacramento, Red's headers. Tell'em for stock engine. The pre-49 valve I have specs for (and they can be replaced with '49 setup with no sweat) specify head diameter as 1.537 head diameter. I ***ume the general 1.5 designation refers to diameter at top of seat, and is essentially meaningless...valve goes in hole, seat and margin are ground to suit! By the way, many specs like that total OD are not referred to much in Ford lit because they just cataloged the right valve for the motor, and only wear related specs like stem diameter mattered because they were needed for repair decisions.
All flathead Ford V8 valves ('32-'53) have the same head diameter. Pre '49 valves have mushroom stems and requite split valve guides.
By the way, if the packages with Chevy valves are better/cheaper/whatever than straight Ford replacement parts, dealing is simple. The valve grinder that will be in play anyhow can trim the ends to what is needed very easily, AND you can have your block there with guides, cam, lifters innit and do an exact cut for each hole...use the light Ford lifters, save the cost of adjustables for that blower. Buy spring shims by OD/ID and shim spring to proper installed length, done.
Hey Bruce! So you think this kit would be appropriate? http://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_truck_late/ford-pickup-truck-valve-kit-239-flathead-v8-379502.html
Description is entirely appropriate. Macs always makes me worry...these MAY be the cheapest possible valves and guides....look around a bit, see what Red's, C&G, Dennis Carpenter, maybe flathead Jack have. Some places are selective, others are looking for cheapest bottom line. There are places in the third world where the lathes produce non-circular parts! Alas, gone are the days when I could go behind the counter at Joblot and root through the warehouse for stuff in Ford boxes, and the big bales of genuine Ford spares in cosmoline from US and Canadian WWII stocks. Just on a quick search, this is quite a bit more http://reds-headers.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=313 but I would worry less. I'd look around. Van Pelt! http://www.vanpeltsalesstore.com/search.asp?keyword=valve+set&search=GO Getting reasonable. Van Pelt is an actual human, as well as a long time HAMB/barn member. I suspect he is a straight shooter and not into the best bargain from Krgystan Heavy Industries. I had forgotten that he is becoming a full line dealer. Call him up and question him about valve set. I think you will find him re***uring.
I used to have a sort of paranormal relationship with the place, finding, like Tarzan, that the jungle supplies all... Once, I picked up a '46-48 Ford Electromatic thermostatic fan from a cl***ified. Rare kit, missing its sensor...Which Ford never even supplied as a separate part! I was rooting through the ignition section deep in the warehouse looking for a NOS 21 A cap when something fell past my head and bounced off of my shoulder. I picked it up...an Electromatic thermal switch! I crawled up and searched the top shelf...nothing more up there except a rat eating a sparkplug wire. It was an isolated part, not something that went with a kit. It just wanted a home. I was probably the only man on Earth who could identify it. And the man up front said "fifty cents. Whatinhell izzit?" And then there was the 55 gallon drum of Ford and Lincoln oil pumps...next to the 55 gallons of pick up tubes. And everything else you could imagine, half of it in sealed military packages from about every country that fought Fords in WWII...
Oh WOW....man, talk about kid in a candy store! I can't find their HAMB handle, do you happen to know it? I want to contact them and ask them about the kits.
I just did a final price check on VanPelt....THIRTY TWO dollars shipping. That's insane, and only USPS!!!
On another note, I was looking at a set from Shaw City Engines.....til I read a lot of bad reviews, and at least one on here. I did buy some lifters from them, my engine guy said he thought they were good quality. I can handle a soft lifter that needs to be replaced, but broken valves? That sounds like $1000's of dollars of damage waiting to happen, I think.
Probably not if they break. Stock valves can be reground if they are not burned badly. Regrind the seats and lap them in. PS I still have bearings wrapped in cosmoline from WW II also some Cad Silver ones.
I ended up going with the VanPelt kit after talking with Mac for a bit. He answered all of my questions and knows the sources of his parts. It was a big help! Looks like I'm all set!!!
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