Thanks J.M. for the clarifications.. That takes the 351W exhausts idea off the board.

Paul

Paul, the original Y-Block valves are commonly listed as 5.090" OAL. The keeper groove is .200" down from the end of the stem. The 351 Windsor valves have the keeper groove .390-.400" down. Most aftermarket valves have the keeper groove .250" down. I wanted to use 351W exhaust valves in the aluminum heads but all the valves made to fit the factory heads have the .400" length to be compatible with rail rockers. All the aftermarket heads for 351W's have 1.60" exhaust valves or larger. So, we had to have valves made for the new heads. They have the groove .250" down from the end.

http://ford-y-block.com 

20 miles east of San Diego, 20 miles north of Mexico

I stand corrected gentlemen, they're 90 thousands or 3/32" shorter.. wishful thinking on my part, led me astray. Back to where I started again!.. P.S.- my part excuse for the mistakes is that our cordless keyboard is acting up & actually quite just after this.. We went thru Microsofts procedure to get it up again, but it's acting up again even as I use it now.. So ???

Paul

My mental calculating isn't what it used to be, but I think that's 90 thou longer if the original is 5.02"

.09 is 9 hundredths. That is about 3/32", quite a big difference.


Lawrenceville, GA

Slick & John: Thanks for your efforts. Still trying to get my thick head around all this info. However, I did find the OE valve length specs in my 57 manual. All valves were 5.02" long. Slick, you say that both heads you disassembled had valves that are 1.54 " diameter? If so, neither appear to be original spec. From the manual's illistration & John's observation re possible coil bind, the valve you have with the low single groove appears to be well off original specs.. At this point in time, it looks like if I want to pursue this futher, it will require removing an exhaust valve & trying to find a Ford dealer or parts outfit, that has an early (69-74) 351W exhaust valve in stock to match up too.. A side note, just checked Mummert's site & noted the Stainless steel 1.54" exhaust valves he equipes his new aluminum heads with, are 5.11" long. That's only 0.09" (9 thousands) shorter than original, am I correct?.. Hmm?

Paul

This engine wasn't run that way for long!! It has a new cross drilled(Low lift) cam, and when pulling it down i found a broken rocker shaft.



.


South Australia

Slick '56:

From your measurements, it appears that the valve springs are compressed .247 more than on a stock Y Block. I would be concerned about the springs becoming coil bound at full lift. But since it has been run that way, that issue was resolved. Maybe shorter, stiffer springs than original?

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Hi Paul, confusion reigns!

I have just had a look at the C heads with the 1.54 exhaust and 1.84 intake valves. These have the two piece original-style retainers,
and measure approx. 1.744 from bottom of spring to top of retainer. The valve stem sits .236 above the inner dish of the retainer.

On the G heads with the standard valves and one piece retainer, the measurement is 1.991 from bottom of spring to top of retainer,
with .115 of valve stem showing above retainer.

I think the valve stems have been machined quite heavily, as the G heads are virtually worn out,
has been skimmed .050 and had a blowup at some stage, pock-marked combustion chamber in one cylinder.


Due to a shoulder op a few weeks ago i cannot operate the valve spring compressor, but a mate is supposed to be coming over tomorrow
so i will get him to pull a valve from each head to measure.


Mummert offers +.050 valve locks, i will call him tomorrow also to enquire, as i have just ordered cam, springs, retainers and locks from him,
but i will be running the C heads on the 292 (mild street).


Let you know...


South Australia

Slick: On re reading the question from Brazil & Mctim's response you may be correct, his answer appears to be for Cleveland valves, not the 351 Windsors I asked about. Sorry, my misread.. Unfortunately, this inquiry has gone full circle, and despite the much appreciated contributions of several people, I still don't know if early 351 Windsor, 1.54" exhaust valves, can be used without re machining their lock grooves or if they may require unspecified different than Y- Block key locks etc.?

Paul