Any use for a bent valve?

[LoHo]

I have removed a slightly bent valve, which is of course too much bend to let it do its job. Is there any use in keeping it? Does someone have the capacity to straighten it enough to be useful? There is a wealth of technical skill and shadetree resourcefulness on this list, and I know these valves get more dear each day, but is a bent valve of value to anyone?

It would seem that machining a hole that fit the stem and shoulders of the valve into a block of steel to form a mold might allow someone to pound or press it straight again. I am replacing mine from a donor head, so I'm not asking anyone for help, I just hate to waste a valve if it can be used.

[TomB]

It depends how bent and where the bend is, if they're holding off the valve so the valve clearance at the cam is maybe double the usual clearance, then yes its possible to regrind the seat area of the valve, and relap. This is of course if the bend is right near the head, obviously if the bend is half way up the stem then it ain't gonna go up and down in the guide too well. And no I wouldn't recommend straightening them.

I've done 85'000 miles on an XS11 engine with bent and reground valves, its just starting to use about 1 litre of oil per 1000 miles so needs work.

[LoHo]

Yeah, the bend is all head from just brushing an angry, miss-timed piston.

[fredintoon]

I have removed a slightly bent valve, which is of course too much bend to let it do its job. - - - I just hate to waste a valve if it can be used.

Hi LoHo,
almost anything can be fixed but straightening a bent valve would cost more than finding a replacement and you'd still have a valve you'd be wise not to trust.
Dropping a valve head through a piston would cost way more than that.
It's toast.
It's history.
A paperweight &/or a souvenir is it's only use.

[motoman]

I have removed a slightly bent valve, which is of course too much bend to let it do its job. Is there any use in keeping it? Does someone have the capacity to straighten it enough to be useful? There is a wealth of technical skill and shadetree resourcefulness on this list, and I know these valves get more dear each day, but is a bent valve of value to anyone?

It would seem that machining a hole that fit the stem and shoulders of the valve into a block of steel to form a mold might allow someone to pound or press it straight again. I am replacing mine from a donor head, so I'm not asking anyone for help, I just hate to waste a valve if it can be used.

Sit it where you can see it daily............a reminder of what NOT to do.........

[bikerphil]

You could always keep it in your left pocket and next time a cage is tailgating you on the freeway, toss it over your shoulder.

[LoHo]

'Aight, I'll sell it on Ebay...

[ViperRon]

Just make sure and be honest like the other guys on Craigslist and list it a special customized one of a kind part. Take good clear picture but turn it to where bend is hidden.

[tarzan]

Its a real nice paper weight.

[skids]

LoHo, throw it away right now, or you will eventually get alheimers and reinstall it someday!

[buffalo]

They make great tent pegs

[BA80]

Cut the head off and it would make a fair punch. I have punches made of a lot of things that use hardened steel.

Shock shafts, strut shafts, broken rachet extensions, axles, transmission shafts, ect., ect.

I even have one made of, I think titanium because it's not magnetic, a backhoe bucket pivot pin. It seems indesructable.

[LoHo]

LoHo, throw it away right now, or you will eventually get alheimers and reinstall it someday!
__________________
Skids

Throw what away? Who said that? Why am I here?

[Schming]

You could mash potatoes with it or safety wire it to the flush handle on your toilet...it is an EXHAUST valve eh ?