The Ford Barn

wrndln · 03-29-2017, 04:49 PM

I recently bought some NOS Ford valves. Some have an indented top with the Ford script on them. Some have a smooth top with a Ford script on them. A couple have no script but look unused. The valve on the left is one I got at a swap meet, has IN on the top and looks new. Could this valve be used only for intake valves? I am wondering if these valves are good enough to use in engines with modern gas and its additives. Any input on these valves would be helpful. BTW, I am building a stock engine, nothing special.
Rusty Nelson

1930artdeco · 03-29-2017, 05:44 PM

I used NOS ford valves in my engine and it works just fine on pump gas.

Mike

wk2w · 03-29-2017, 06:08 PM

I've seen some older repair pictures that had all the valves with the circular recess like the one on the left in your picture. That may have made lapping easier, don't know. Haven't read anything that says there's a difference between the intake and exhaust valves.
Mine were all smooth top, but there's a very good chance they had been replaced.
Would be interested in other replies.

Synchro909 · 03-29-2017, 06:16 PM

Years ago it used to be that intake and exhaust valves were made from different materials. Not knowing how old those valves are, I would use that one on the inlet. You have nothing to loose by doing so but maybe if you don't.

ursus · 03-29-2017, 06:25 PM

I've seen Ford marked valves with the IN, X, and R. The IN and X valves were in the corresponding intake and exhaust positions and the "R: valves were scattered all over. I don't know what the "R" stands for.

Doug Clayton · 03-29-2017, 08:55 PM

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Valves with Ford Script are all stainless steel and in my opinion are superior to anything made today. The flat top valves were the first design of the stainless type. In the mid-late 1930's, the as-forged, recessed type was introduced. They are the same alloy and can be mixed in an engine, however, I like to use them in sets (all the intake the same and all the exhaust the same). One important note: when using stainless valves, increase the clearance for the exhaust valves ONLY to .015-.017" due to increased thermal expansion.

barnstuf · 03-29-2017, 08:57 PM

When you manufacture several million engines the pennies saved on each add up, so when engines were new the valves were different in quality for intake and exhaust. As the cars aged it made sense in making valves for the replacement market to standardize so all are of exhaust quality, and are used for intake and exhaust.

WestCoast · 03-29-2017, 09:31 PM

indented valves are intake and can only be used in the intake valve seats, they are heat treaded differently than the exhaust valves, they will quickly burn if used for exhaust valves ,flat top valves are exhaust valves and can be used for either intake or exhaust

Doug Clayton · 03-29-2017, 09:49 PM

Indented FORD script valves are stainless steel and non-magnetic.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 03-30-2017, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestCoast

indented valves are intake and can only be used in the intake valve seats, they are heat treaded differently than the exhaust valves, they will quickly burn if used for exhaust valves ,flat top valves are exhaust valves and can be used for either intake or exhaust

I RE-DID a Lincoln Model K-V-12 where someone used Intake valves in the Exhaust, burned the CRAP out of them! Fortunately, we had a donor car & took valves out of it.
SAME car lost a piston pin retainer & cut a slot in a cylinder wall
With a machinests' help, we bored & sleeved the hole, WITH THE ENGINE IN THE CAR!!!
Bill Dangerous

katy · 03-30-2017, 12:04 PM

Ford model A parts list shows both valves w/the same part #, A-6505-A

d.j. moordigian · 03-30-2017, 12:29 PM

Learned the answer, to this question, 50 years ago in Collage.
I called Rusty with the answer,...we decided not to post anything,...looking for the smart
people. One sharp fellow, an engineer did answer..

If in doubt,...always use the non-magnetic valve (exhaust valve),..it's made from better
material, in either intake or exhaust. It will last longer..

03-29-2017, 05:44 PM	#2
1930artdeco Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lynden, Wa Posts: 3,552	Re: NOS Ford valve question I used NOS ford valves in my engine and it works just fine on pump gas. Mike __________________ 1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan

03-29-2017, 06:08 PM	#3
wk2w Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 22	Re: NOS Ford valve question I've seen some older repair pictures that had all the valves with the circular recess like the one on the left in your picture. That may have made lapping easier, don't know. Haven't read anything that says there's a difference between the intake and exhaust valves. Mine were all smooth top, but there's a very good chance they had been replaced. Would be interested in other replies.

03-29-2017, 06:16 PM	#4
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: NOS Ford valve question Years ago it used to be that intake and exhaust valves were made from different materials. Not knowing how old those valves are, I would use that one on the inlet. You have nothing to loose by doing so but maybe if you don't. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

03-29-2017, 06:25 PM	#5
ursus Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,375	Re: NOS Ford valve question I've seen Ford marked valves with the IN, X, and R. The IN and X valves were in the corresponding intake and exhaust positions and the "R: valves were scattered all over. I don't know what the "R" stands for.

03-29-2017, 08:55 PM	#6
Doug Clayton Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 132	Re: NOS Ford valve question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Valves with Ford Script are all stainless steel and in my opinion are superior to anything made today. The flat top valves were the first design of the stainless type. In the mid-late 1930's, the as-forged, recessed type was introduced. They are the same alloy and can be mixed in an engine, however, I like to use them in sets (all the intake the same and all the exhaust the same). One important note: when using stainless valves, increase the clearance for the exhaust valves ONLY to .015-.017" due to increased thermal expansion.

03-29-2017, 08:57 PM	#7
barnstuf Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cape Cod MA Posts: 2,840	Re: NOS Ford valve question When you manufacture several million engines the pennies saved on each add up, so when engines were new the valves were different in quality for intake and exhaust. As the cars aged it made sense in making valves for the replacement market to standardize so all are of exhaust quality, and are used for intake and exhaust.

03-29-2017, 09:31 PM	#8
WestCoast Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: oroville calif Posts: 893	Re: NOS Ford valve question indented valves are intake and can only be used in the intake valve seats, they are heat treaded differently than the exhaust valves, they will quickly burn if used for exhaust valves ,flat top valves are exhaust valves and can be used for either intake or exhaust

03-29-2017, 09:49 PM	#9
Doug Clayton Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 132	Re: NOS Ford valve question Indented FORD script valves are stainless steel and non-magnetic.

03-30-2017, 12:04 PM	#11
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,046	Re: NOS Ford valve question Ford model A parts list shows both valves w/the same part #, A-6505-A __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

03-30-2017, 12:29 PM	#12
d.j. moordigian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fresno, Ca. Posts: 3,636	Re: NOS Ford valve question Learned the answer, to this question, 50 years ago in Collage. I called Rusty with the answer,...we decided not to post anything,...looking for the smart people. One sharp fellow, an engineer did answer.. If in doubt,...always use the non-magnetic valve (exhaust valve),..it's made from better material, in either intake or exhaust. It will last longer..