1608 BLOWN HEAD GASKET???

[Kevin1]

There is a limit to how much can be removed before the bucket starts to interfere with the spring cap and keepers. I had this happen to an engine I bought not long ago. Someone else had done the work on it and the shortened stem caused a valve spring to let loose, dropping a valve into the cylinder.
Given a choice, I would simply install the right shims to set the clearance.

[seabeelt]

Search the forum on how to measure for proper shim thickness. You can buy the correct shims individually without having to buy a whole set ( read expensive). Individual shims are a couple of bucks each. See the link
https://www.autoricambi.us/cgi/commerce.cgi. And type in valve shims in the search box.
Given the two options , I would buy the shims
R/

[chrisfiat]

very lottle can be taken off the valve for adjustment, there is a spec for installed height, and this must be observed, the adjustment should be made with the shim, NOT with any major grinding of the stem

[71124spider]

thats exactly what i thought, i think i'm gonna just go with a rebuilt head from VAS--ANYBODY HEARD ANY GOOD OR BAD FEEDBACK ON THEIR HEADS.

[71124spider]

heres what i decided to do--i told my machinist to just to a standard valve job(all new valves, guides, and seals--not to grind any stems--that i would do all the valve lash myself--i ordered everything including the tool and the the complete shim kit from IAP--SO MY QUESTION IS--on the bench--how hard is it to turn the cam---while the machinist is doing the head--i will set up the valves--i found a video on it, and i didnt realize--it was that simple.another question--to install new valves are the new valves and old seat automatically cut by the machinest?

[seabeelt]

Cam assemblies should be on the head before gaping the shims, otherwise you won't have anything to gap against. The bucket sits on top of the valve stem, the shim goes on top of the bucket
R/

[azruss]

the beauty of a DOHC. The valves and cam assembly can all be done on the bench, including the gap. Gap should be set cold

[bradartigue]

thats exactly what i thought, i think i'm gonna just go with a rebuilt head from VAS--ANYBODY HEARD ANY GOOD OR BAD FEEDBACK ON THEIR HEADS.

Not sure about their heads but search this forum and you'll see plenty of feedback on the company.