Valve stem height

[themarshotel7]

Just bought new heads from Chirco. My question is, should the valve stems all be the exact same height across? The intake valves stick out a little farther than the exhaust. The heads are brand new 1600 dp stock. the one in the picture is the worst.

Have a look........



http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/656377.jpg

[Hippie]

Weird. I just got a rebuilt SP 1600 head from Chirco, not four months ago, and they were all the same height.

[chitwnvw]

That makes no sense. I would take the issue back to Chirco.

[Amskeptic]

Just bought new heads from Chirco. My question is, should the valve stems all be the exact same height across? The intake valves stick out a little farther than the exhaust. The heads are brand new 1600 dp stock. the one in the picture is the worst.

Have a look........



http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/656377.jpg

I had the same problem + with the AutoLinea head I got for the Squareback. In my case, the intakes were both sitting deeper into the head than the exhausts. Some variation can be expected. Depends on how much material had to be ground off to make the valves concentric with the seats.
Colin

[themarshotel7]

I sent the heads back, they were chinese! Bought a set of genuine brazillian heads from John at aircooled.net. All these Chinese parts I keep getting is making this build take forever- it's getting warmer out and I gotta get this bus on the road!!!

[chitwnvw]

I sent the heads back, they were chinese! Bought a set of genuine brazillian heads from John at aircooled.net. All these Chinese parts I keep getting is making this build take forever- it's getting warmer out and I gotta get this bus on the road!!!

[hambone]

A wise choice.
China does seem to randomly make quality stuff. But not VW parts apparently.
Is it cultural? Are their mfg. standards so low after being 3rd world for so long? Greed? Ignorance of quality? Or just plain exploitation?

[tristessa]

Cripes, they're making VW cylinder heads in China now?

[Amskeptic]

Cripes, they're making VW cylinder heads in China now?

Yes, and we have one foot in the door with the guy in Riverside who has actually . . . get this . . . rejected shoddy castings. He quaintly demands "quality" and his Chinese supplier has somehow gotten it in his head that our guy is "serious".
The Chinese heads he has been using go most usually into sandrails that have been extensively modified. These heads have to work hard with lousy cooling. I will let you know what sort of reliability picture emerges from the dust. If these heads show any sort of reliability, they will be suitable for Type 1 applications. Like AMC heads, valves and springs and keepers must be replaced.
Colin

[hambone]

Just the casting is "good"? What a crock. I'll pass.

[Amskeptic]

Just the casting is "good"? What a crock. I'll pass.

No you won't, sweetpea. When the time comes that you have a choice between a Chinese head casting and pouring your own aluminum ingot soup into a dirt hole, you will work with the hand dealt you. Many times, I have rejected the hardware and gotten stuff that I trust implicitly, like Manley stainless steel exhaust valves at 11.00 ea. to go into VW heads from Germany, even.
Colin

[hambone]

Thankfully with type1, that day may be a ways down the road. Maybe this is a good time to stock up on quality parts while they're still available.
Heads are a big reason I'm staying away from type4. $1000 a set is too rich for economical transportation. Plus I'm low-geared just like the bus so we're a a good match.
Sweetpea he says!

[midatlanticys]

. . . Maybe this is a good time to stock up on quality parts while they're still available.

Bingo!!

btw; if anyone is looking for a mere 500 DP heads - they're only $60 a pop in Wenzhou!! http://www.allworldautomotive.com/auto_ ... 11816.html

[chitwnvw]

I think before I am smelting aluminum and dumping it into the ground, I will band together with other of youzall and form a cooperative to tackle the problem.