[tuff82]

Anyone buying Edelbrock Marine Heads please be aware that the valve guide size is 11/32 instead of the standard 3/8, you would think that buing a marine cam kit and marine heads would all be the same size but its a good thing i noticed this before initial start up or I could have had a major catastrophe! They at least could have put a notification in the box or something.

[pepi]

I am missing something here, what does the valve guide size have to do with the cam ? Please make me smarter..

[327NUT]

You know I read that 3 times and was thinking??????? what the hell am I missing??. Then I read Pepi's reply, soooo what pepi said? I haven't looked at Edelbrocks website recently, do they make a "marine" head...I'll go look right now!

[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

I have had a couple of incidents this year on aftermkt BBC heads and customers buying the accessories.

One was a complete Comp Cams valve train kit. Springs, retainers, seals, etc. along with cam and lifters.

Owner installed kit parts on his aftermkt heads. 11/32 v-stems.. 3/8 10 deg. valve keepers in set.. Motor lasted till he decided to "make a pass". Dropped several valves destroyed engine..

Second incident. A well known engine builder installed another Comp Cams v-train kit. Owner noticed (after two weeks of breakin) that one of the valve locks had jumped up about 1/16" and was not looking good.

Brought it to me. same deal 3/8" 10 deg. locks on 11/32" valve stems.. Of course the builder claimed "defective locks"...

[pepi]

Ok cam, lifters and valve train kit .. now that makes total sense. I am used to buying cam and lifters , springs from another manufacture. Was not thinking about the possibility of a soup to nuts cam kit ... That clears the head, all better now.

[cobalt327]

The "standard" SBC valve stem diameter is 11/32", w/some trucks getting 3/8" exhaust valves. No clue on marine engines, though I thought they were the same, at least for the most part- like over the road vehicles...

So you are saying the cam kit supplied you with 3/8" keepers and locks? Yet the heads were 11/32"??

[tuff82]

the cam kit contains everything it was a comp k kit, thank god i dident drop a valve

[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

Correct Cobalt327. These are kits for Big Block Chevies...10 degree locks.. 7 deg locks would show up quite a bit if mis matched..

Evidently this has happened to a few others,, by the PMs I get..

I know Comp will tell you that it is the fault of the installer for not checking sizes..

[lmsport]

The SBC with the 3/8 stem, sodium-filled exhaust valves used standard keepers and retainers. The valves necked down at the top, for some unknown reason. Somewhere I have a box of them as we always saved them from cracked heads due to their cost. And, the stems rarely had excessive wear like many standard valves.

[tuff82]

I build my heads my self, from now on im deff checking out the stem size. what would be the advantage of having a 11/32 stem size vs a 3/8? You would think that being a COMPLEATE marine cam kit, and being Marine heads they would at least make them compatable with each other, I realize they are not the same company, but at least put a notification or something.

[cobalt327]

I believe the thought behind the larger 3/8" stem is for durability. They're also used in truck applications- any place where running at the torque peak is likely to be sustained.

The "down side" to a 3/8" valve stem is that it impedes flow to some degree, and is heavier overall. Even aftermarket BBC heads can be had w/11/32" stemmed valves.

So, were the seals, retainers and locks from the "K" kit 3/8"?

[tuff82]

yup everything in the k kit was 3/8