How often for a Valve Job?

[TomoHawk]

My car is at 113k miles, and when I had it at the dealer for a tuneup ( plugs & timing only), the guy suggested a valve job.

I had one done a couple years ago, after I got the car. How often do you think a vintage engine need a valve job? The owner's manual tells you a certain interval, but that's for a newer engine. an An older one with miles on it probably needs a little different treatment.

There's a very slight ticking from the rocker box with the engine idling.

thx

[seerex]

Alot depends on the material your valve seals are made of and seats as well. I think once you upgrade both you should be good for a very long time. I believe there is a article about the seat/seals and the advantages reguarded upgrading. If you are not leaking oil < smoking > I wouldn't spend the 500 to a grand to have it done unless you are gonna do the wrenching and you are at a stage of it truly needing the job.

[280~Master]

I wouldn't think just a couple of years and you need a valve job. Unless you have been putting 60 to 70 thousand miles on it. Your valves should last for quite sometime before they need replacing. This is if you are a nice driver to your car. Racing and long distance on a regular is something else. Your seats should still be good. Did you get a 5 angle or 3 angle when you had them done a couple of years ago and what kind of seats were put in, if any were replaced?

You might need to adjust the valves. This is something that should be done every so often. Is there a possability the shop was using the wrong words and ment adjusting instead of job?

[sblake01]

I did mine at 65K when I bought it from the p.o. I now have 135K (it was a daily driver for a couple of years). Compression is sitll good, in the 185-195 range. A little ticking is okay, better than the valves being too tight. Are you sure you're hearing the valves and not the fuel injectors?

[TomoHawk]

Yeah, the valves were only adjusted. I think I will either get the head totaly serviced or the engine refreshed eventually (If I ever get a job:surprised )

[beandip]

there is NO need to touch the valves , unless the compression falls off from them leaking or oil consumption becomes a problem from valve seals leaking. regardless of the miles. Don't fix it if it ain't broke. :rambo:

[TomoHawk]

I should check the compression first or a leak test? That would tell you if the valves aren't sealing well.