I am looking to change the intake seat angle to 45 (c7ae-a heads,390). I doubt I can reuse the valves that are in the heads now. would a 2.09 valve be able to be used if cut down to 2.03 and given the 45'. I have searched the forums for info and am finding that I will be in the border area of it being worth the work/cost with a .530 to .550 lift cam.
This message has been edited by Shane390 on Dec 28, 2008 8:10 PM
Most 390's really only need hard seats on the exhaust, so id say, the most cost effective route is to go to Napa or any good parts store and order new 2.09 intakes ( should be around $50, and do the trick just fine), prob. be able to open the heads up and use the 45* unless thy are really sunken in or something. Stock EX is ok, or you can go CJ 1.66 with new seats. Either EX valve is fine for a cam of your size.
Yes you could cut down valves, but for that work, you will not make more power then a 2.09 valve at either 30* or 45. CJ valves fit that head fine, use the bigger intakes. I did it, and opened up (un-shrouded the chambers by hand a touch... no big deal.)
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1967 FE 390GT engine: 416 CID 233/238* @ 0.050 Solid Lifter w/ 4 spd TL.
1968 GT/CS Mustang. 289/c4
1995 Mercedes e320 I6 DOHC, 216 HP wagon.
2003 Tundra SR5, 4.7 DOHC, 4x4.
Another Galaxie (one day.)
Oh and a Bicycle - daily driver to save gas for the 'F'un 'E'xcursions.
The 2.03s might work, but lock grooves may not work at those lifts.
December 28 2008, 9:07 PM
The 2.09 valves will work fine when cut to 45 degrees. I had to do this manually when my first engine rebuilder, Balejh's Performance, in Minneapolis successfully cut my CJ heads to a fine triple angle grind while ignoring the valve angle. Light shone through the seal. I drew them a diagram of the needed mods to the original valves but they drew a blank. They showed me their valve cutter and I cut the old CJ valves to my drawing specs myself. Worked great.
If you use the 2.09s, and if you get a chance, you might dress the throat of the C7 heads to flow a bit more. CJ heads did get their throats cut a bit bigger, and it worked famously on the tracks.
You may want to look at the valve locks of your existing valves and compare them to CJ locks. Lo-Po FEs have cheap stmped valve retainers and locks that just don't work when lifts and pressures increase.
