Ok, I got really tired of fumbling around trying to measure my valve stem height and never being satisfied with the results. Sssoooo.... I got to thinking "What would GM have do if they had to pay someone warrenty time to do this?" Answer: They'd send the dealer ship an economical tool that would require less thought process!:laugh: And here's what I came up with, made out of some scrap 1" diameter aluminum stock, a grade 8 washer bonded to it with JB. Measured with a micrometer in 4 places and the average length written on it. Makes a dandy quick checker. This particular one averaged 2.083".
Dwayne - Not a bad idea! Do you have a dial caliper with the depth extension on it? That's what I always use for a quick and accurate measurement. At the machine shop we had the proper tool for that (of course). Looks like a deep well socket with a guage on the top. You set the tool up for the desired tip height (or just put it on to see where it was to start) and slip it over each valve stem and make sure it sits flush on the head (where the spring bottom sits). When I did OHC Saab heads, we had a 'go-no go' gauge. It had a beveled edge that you sat in the cam journal. The gauge had a two stepped extension that you moved over to the top of the valve stem. As long as it was in between those two steps - you're good to go!! I suppose something similar could be fashioned up for the Buick heads that worked off the spring pad. I just find the dial caliper easier and quicker.
No. The closest I've been able to come up with so far, is a tool to measure installed valve spring height. It operates similar to what you described. Point me in the right direction to find one, and I'll take a look at it!! Thanks, Scott:TU:
Check out http://www.vikinggage.com/dial_caliper.asp - they carry several different brands. We had Mitutoyo at the shop....they have an inexpensive brand called Aerospace. No idea on their quality though.
