We are going over the upper end of our 6.0 diesel and noticed that 1) the shop manual does not specify a valve length. And 2) some valves are different in length by up to 0.020-0.030 inches. Will this difference in length matter? And 3) we cannot seem to find valve seat grinding stones in 30 and 37.5 degrees, which is what the shop manual says the seats should be. Where do we get such stones?
We are thinking of just going the old fashion route with a rotating suction cup and grinding compound to just clean them up a bit.
Many Thanks

 

Well there is a minimum thickness for the head itself. I'd assume you would just trim the valves the same amount. You'd also have to shim the valve springs if you're planning on changing the valve stem length, otherwise you're going to lose/gain seat pressure. You're seeing stock valves with lengths that far off? Wow. As for the valve seat grinding stones... not sure I can help you there.

I've always heard that grinding compound was junk. It's like the harbor freight version of valve seat grinding haha.

I know on my race quads/bikes we always had the valve seats done with a serdi machine.

 

We always had the valves ground, dyed the seats and valve faces, and used compound to hand lap all the valves. They seal right every time and you know you have 100% contact. Every one of my engines and every race engine I built was hand lapped with compound.

 

Good to know. I'd still take my Serdi valve cuts any day though.

 

Thank you everyone. We have always hand-lapped our gas engines and so will also do our diesel.

Another question. The intake valves overall length seems to be quite variable, some are up to 0.040 inches different in length and the top of the valve stem seems to be where the wear is.
An experienced 6.0 diesel mechanic here said not to worry about it as the hydraulic lifters can adjust to the wear.

What do you all think?

 

Technically speaking they should adjust he's right. I'm not sure just how much it can account for though.

Convert it to roller rockers and be done! haha

 

Will not mater at all, the hydraulic lifter will more than make up for .040 any day of the week. I bet there is at least .125 past contact, maybe more.