Valve seat cutting

[aussiecowboy]

Hi all,

 

I have a number of vintage Pontiacs (among other cars) and several of my cars are in need of valve jobs, I'm looking for recommendations on valve seat cutters/kits. What will give me a good job. I'm not shy about spending a few dollars on good quality tools, I believe that if you buy quality you'll only buy once.

 

Also, can anyone tell me what the angle of the seats on these 20s Pontiacs is?

 

All advice appreciated.

 

Regards

[MochetVelo]

I recommend (made in USA) Neway valve seat cutters. Not sure of your angles, but they are usually around 60, 30 and 46 degrees. These are very accurate, hand-turned cutters that are easy to use. No grinding compound is needed. You can call the company for advice, too. They will tell you what cutters you need. You can sometimes find used ones on eBay. Also, you can borrow a set from a local shop if they like you. 

 

Phil

[Owen_Dyneto]

They may not be that easy to find but I strongly recommend you locate a Sioux or Black & Decker power valve seat grinding kit. 

[cahartley]

Ditto on grinding.

It's very difficult to do it with a hand cutter and get a perfect finish.

With a grinder it's usually 3-4 fast hits and it's done with perfect faces so you don't have to lap valves until your arms drop off........ 

[Rusty_OToole]

Get them done by the local auto machine shop. They can do the job better and cheaper than you can do it yourself. If there are none nearby I don't know what to suggest.

[nearchoclatetown]

I recommend (made in USA) Neway valve seat cutters. Not sure of your angles, but they are usually around 60, 30 and 46 degrees. These are very accurate, hand-turned cutters that are easy to use. No grinding compound is needed. You can call the company for advice, too. They will tell you what cutters you need. You can sometimes find used ones on eBay. Also, you can borrow a set from a local shop if they like you. 

 

Phil

Amen to that. I will NEVER have another seat ground. Neway is best.

[Guest]

Just in case anyone else was interested I sent aussiecowboy a reply to his pm to me. 

The manual says "Worn or pitted valve seats should be reconditioned with a 45 degree reseating tool.  If seats in block are more than 1/16" wide, a 75 degree cutter and a 15 degree cutter should be used to bring proper widths."

[aussiecowboy]

I'm liking the look of the Neway cutters, they aren't cheap but should outlast me. I'll give them a call Monday morning and see what they say regarding a kit to suit my needs. Taking the cars to a shop to have them done isn't really practical for me where I live.

[nearchoclatetown]

Don't push when you turn it will cut too deep. It take very little effort to do a very good job. 

[GLong]

There is nothing better than the Neway cutters for working on a flat head engine in the car.  If a car has in-head valves, then I'd still prefer to do them my self, because some machine shops have no respect for old parts that are irreplaceable. 

 

For work on an engine in the car, nothing is worse than all that grinding-wheel grit getting everywhere in, on and around the engine. 

With the hand-cutters by Neway, the steel/iron shavings stay right next to the seat, and can be vacuumed up.  I usually put a vacuum hose in the port of the valve seat I'm cutting, this sucks up all the metal filings as they are created.  The engine deck stays clean.  

You never have to reface stones for wear or to correct the angle, and deal with the mess of more grinding grit everywhere.  

 

Ebay often has a few kits up for auction, but you need to educate yourself about the Neway products.  There is a '100-series' and a '200-series' set of pilots, cutters and operating handles.  I use the '200-series'. they have larger pilots to fit the big valve stem sizes of the old cars.  The '100-series' is best for the imports, lawnmowers, motorcycles etc.  

 

GLong

[aussiecowboy]

The Australian agent for Neway is looking into making up a kit to best suit my needs. I firmly believe in buying quality and only buying once, so I'm feeling good about this.

 

Thanks for all the advice.

[c49er]

What about hardened seats?

[aussiecowboy]

Not an issue, none of my cars have them.

[nearchoclatetown]

Neway will cut them.

[aussiecowboy]

Well my local Neway agent was extremely helpful, he put together a kit for me that gave me everything I needed and nothing I didn't. I also bought the easy turn handle and the Gizmatic valve refacing tool. I can't wait to get them and put them to use.

[Larry Schramm]

Let us know how it works for you and post some before and after pictures.

[aussiecowboy]

It's too late for before and after pictures of this one, the job is already done and the engine assembled. The seat cutters are amazing, a flawless 3 angle seat in a few minutes per valve. The valve resurfacing tool is good, but I think a stone grinder would give a slightly better finish. All the valves and seats took only the quickest bit of lapping to verify contact area, overall I'm extremely happy with the quality and finish.