Technical Flathead 8BA

Just started working on an 8BA and have it torn down. The valve ***emblies are not apart yet but want to ask a question, When the valves are up I can wiggle them slightly some more that others. Is some wiggle normal or should they be very stiff and solid and not move in place from side to side AT ALL?
trying to gauge how much i really need to do. Also the intake area below the intake manifold was very greasy and covered with gooey gunk. The blow by tubes were pretty packed as was the oil tube at the base near the manifold. Any thoughts on this? I am trying to keep the fix to a minimum as i am on a budget build. Goin in my 29 A coupe
Thanks

 

Valve guides are worn most likely. That block will need to be stripped bare and hot tanked, the only result of trying to work around the sludge is it will break free and plug up oil p***ages and then really bad things start to happen once the oil supply is cut off.

 

No shortcuts building a flatty unless you want to waste your money. Your engine is worn out by the sounds of your description. Take it apart ,have it cleaned & magged & pressure tested. If you are not up on flatheads have a good machine shop check it out for you. May Bruce Lancaster will chime in here. Buy yourself a couple of good books from Mac Van Pelts site. Nostalga by Ol Ron is good as is Ron Bishops or Vern Tardell. If you want a reliable engine there are no short cuts nor is it cheap.

 

can anyone tell me how much side to side wiggle is normal on the valve stems in the guides? Should they be fairly firm or is there an amount that is normal?

 

bump

 

Pull the valves out about half of their length,if you can wiggle them back and forth excessively,REPLACE the guides!

 

I think he is looking for a definition of "excessively ". I kinda sorta have a feeling for too much play in a valve guide, but no idea how to describe it.