GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

    • J 36019-A Valve Guide Reamer
    • J 9666 Valve Spring Tester

    Object Number: 63687  Size: SH

    Notice: Clean the valve guides before reaming. Packing of chips or carbon may result in the reamer jamming into the valve guide or broken reamer flutes.

  1. With the hole gauge, measure the valve guide ID with a micrometer, measure the valve stem. Compare the valve guide ID and the valve stem measurements. Refer to Engine Mechanical Specifications for allowable clearance.
  2. Ream the valve guides for oversize valves using the J 36019-A if the clearance exceeds the specifications. Do not knurl the valve guides.
  3. Service valves are available in the standard and 1 mm oversize.
  4. Ream the valve guide bores for the oversize valves as necessary.
  5. Reconditioning the valve seats is very important.
  6. Recondition the valve seat after reaming the valve guide bores.

    Important: Because the valve guide serves to support and center the valve grinder, it is essential that the valve guide is cleaned properly. If the valve guide requires reaming, this must be done first.

  7. Inspect the valve seats for excessive wear and burned spots. Valve seats may be reconditioned by grinding. If grinding results in the new seat being too wide it may be narrowed by using a 20 degree or 70 degree stone. The 20 degree stone will lower the seat and the 70 degree stone will raise the seat.
  8. • The valves must seat perfectly for the engine to deliver optimum power and performance.
    • Cooling the valve heads is another important factor. Good contact between each valve and its seat in the cylinder head is necessary to insure that the heat in the valve head is properly carried away.
    • Regardless of what type of equipment is used, it is essential that the valve guide bores are free from carbon or dirt in order to ensure the proper centering of the pilot in the guide.
    • The valve seats should be concentric to within 0.05 mm (0.031 in) total indicator reading.
    • Do not attempt to reface valves from the Twin Cam engine.
    • Replace any valve that is not in serviceable condition.

    Object Number: 40075  Size: SH
  9. Inspect the valve springs. Refer to Engine Mechanical Specifications for the tolerances.
  10. Look for the following conditions when inspecting the valve springs:
  11. • Expanded height
    • Unparallel spring ends
    • Spring tension, using the J 9666
  12. Inspect the valve spring seating surface of the valve rotators and spring seats for wear or gouging. Replace as required.
  13. Assemble the valves.
  14. Use the following steps to measure valve runout:
  15. 11.1. Apply a dab of Prussian blue on the entire valve face. Seat the valve, but do not rotate the valve. The Prussian blue traces transferred to the valve seat are an indication of concentricity of the valve seat.
    11.2. Clean all traces of Prussian blue.
    11.3. Apply a dab of Prussian blue on the valve seat and repeat the check. The traces of Prussian blue transferred to the valve face indicates valve face concentricity.
    11.4. Recondition the valve seat or replace the valves, if required.