Looking to order a set of new intake and exhaust valves for my '68 289 heads. It will have a .512 lift/.280 duration cam, rpm performer intake, headers, and roller rocker arms. (Taking the heads this weekend for the screw-in rocker arm studs upgrade) I won't be doing any kind of hardcore drag racing. It will mainly be a street car that is sparingly used for local street nights at the strip. The valve stems are wore pretty good. Mainly due to the fact that a high performance cam was used in it with rail rockers and stock springs. What valves should I order? Just standard stock replacements, or a slight upgrade? What are some good brands?
By the time you pay to have the screw in studs machined, pay for the studs, pay for the valves, pay for new valve guides (probably at least a few of them), pay for the valve job, pay for the cleaning fee,..... You still have stock heads the need to be ported to be half way decent. My point is to find out what the total cost is going to be before you spend a dime on them. You may be able to get a bottom of the line set of aluminum heads (china made) the less money and they will probably flow better.
The reason I am keeping them is because the heads are already ported. (And they aren't Chinese) I can get the screw in studs installed for $200.
Well, I just finished taking the heads apart. Half the valve guides are worn away. Looks like they are becoming less useable. The price for valves, valve guides, cleaning, and etc. isn't going to be worth keeping after all. Back to the drawing board. May go with a set of rebuilt GT40's. Complete valve job, valves, etc. $427 shipped.
