I didnt talk to the machinest yet, but the guy behind the counter said he was told by the machinest that my valves had been tumbled once and could not be tumbled again?
So now I need all NEW valves?
These heads just had a three angle valve job, guides where needed and hardened seats installed.
All I wanted was the installed height set up for my new cam/springs, so I would know it was done correctly.
Please tell me what valve tumbling is?
Thanks T.C.

Years back, I had a fresh valve job performed by a reputable machine shop, on my 454.Within 2 weeks after installing the heads, the engine (also rebuilt) began to smoke like the rings let go. It took several weeks to find that the valve stem seals let go. they failed because the valves were tumbled in shot and this resulted in dimples on the stems which prematurely caused the seals to fail.

The machine shop wouldn't stand behind the work and I had to replace all the valves. If the valves are questionable, replace them and save yourself trouble down the road. Don't let them tumble them.

Thanks for the reply ED:
Why would you want to tumble the valves?
Is it to resurface/clean the valve face/back or the stems? or both?
Mabe the problem you had with the valve seals is the reason they cant be tumbled twice?
Sure would like to hear from one of the machine shop guys on here, as to why valves get tumbled?
T.C.

I have found that when the valves get all dinged up it was caused by not having enough shot or media in the tumbler and the valves were banging against each other. I've picked up a couple of sets of valves where the shop did this, after the 2nd time I started looking into and in both cases it was the same problem

So this is done just to clean/pollish the valves?
T.C.

tc,
It is a cleaning procedure. You are supposed to put a rubber sleeve over the valve stem when you tumble them so the stem does not get dinged up. I have gotten away from doing valve in the tumbler at all. We usually glass bead them. It's much more time consuming, but does not damage the valves.

So this guy is just trying to sell me new valves, cause I know he has a glass bead setup.
Why would he be doing this anyway, I only want the springs setup for my new cam?
Wont he need to recut the valves after he tumbles them?
I know he will have to do a valve job on new valves.
This is getting out of hand.........
Thanks T.C.

TC...did you have any issues with the heads prior ? if not just ask him to set the srings up and that`s it.
Is this shop in Ft Pierce?

What's wrong with a good old course wire brush wheel on a 1/4 hp electric motor to de-carbon the backs of the valve heads???

Boy, "tumble valves", now I've never heard of it!

pdq67

Originally posted by BillK:
tc,
It is a cleaning procedure. You are supposed to put a rubber sleeve over the valve stem when you tumble them so the stem does not get dinged up. I have gotten away from doing valve in the tumbler at all. We usually glass bead them. It's much more time consuming, but does not damage the valves. I wish the guys out here read that part of the manual ! 2 differant shops ... same problem

Yep the shop is in Ft. Pierce, the heads were fresh, just done, then had a cam go south.
Bought a new roller with new springs,juts want it set up correctly............ who knows?
Think I'll just tell him to put the springs in and leave it at that.
T.C.