470 head repair/Ford interchangeable?

[nola mike]

Need to R&R the head on my 470 (see here for details), and finally removed my 2 stuck exhaust valves. Both were difficult to remove, but looked ok on removal. They wouldn't slide in and out easily though, whereas another valve moved easily in both bores. This valve had a TINY bit of play in the #3--I don't have a dial gauge yet, but I'm guessing it's more than the .01 mm spec. Apparently, the fix for this is to ream the bore and replace with an oversize valve. 2 problems:

1) Oversize valves are NLA
2) I think this would have to be done by a machine shop, which involves more time and money than I'd care to spend

Questions:
1) I think I can use parts for a Ford 460 head (any others?)--anyone know if this is the case, and if I can just use the first oversize valve from that head?
2) What happens if I just put it back together as is?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 470 head repair/Ford interchangeable?

460 Ford head is what it uses, but most times you replace the valve guide not the valve.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 470 head repair/Ford interchangeable?

460 Ford head is what it uses, but most times you replace the valve guide not the valve.

Here is a pretty cool video on how they do it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR8cDaum7ss Slick

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 470 head repair/Ford interchangeable?

.. I think this would have to be done by a machine shop, which involves more time and money than I'd care to spend

Probably less than a tank of gas this summer!:facepalm:

 

[nola mike]

Re: 470 head repair/Ford interchangeable?

460 Ford head is what it uses, but most times you replace the valve guide not the valve.

yeah, that's what I thought. Merc manual says otherwise though, to ream and then use an oversize valve. No merc valve guides seem available as separate parts (even NLA), though I'm able to find Ford 460 guides. Hmmm. Seems like a simple enough job to have them do...just need to find a machine shop I guess to check it out. Nice vid BTW Terry...

 

[ssn756]

Re: 470 head repair/Ford interchangeable?

I just have a head which looks to be in good shape. I believe it just needs to be clean(in a parts washer). Im an auto mechanic and just recently tore down a 470. Which is frozen.

I can send/post pics if you'd like. Don't know what shipping would be to Richmond. You know the thing is pretty heavy and there are two exhaust studs still installed which I could remove.

 

[ssn756]

Re: 470 head repair/Ford interchangeable?

The cylinder side doesn't look as good. Like I said I can send all the pics you want

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 470 head repair/Ford interchangeable?

Just took a look (Google), they sell replacement valve guides for the 460 head, about 2 bucks each. I would think your machinist should be able to fix you up no problem. When I had my head done, they replaced one valve, don't remember if they did the guide, but had new hardened exhaust sets put in, don't remember exactly how much, but not too expensive. Good luck.

 

[nola mike]

Re: 470 head repair/Ford interchangeable?

yeah, i found that too. like i said, weird that the merc solution is to replace with an oversize valve. i have tomorrow off, i'm going to go to the dealer and see who they use for a machine shop (i have no idea how to find one...) and get an opinion. found the riser for $200 ($150 less than I thought it would cost), so even with the machine work i'm hoping to get out of this for $400 or so...

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 470 head repair/Ford interchangeable?

yeah, i found that too. like i said, weird that the merc solution is to replace with an oversize valve. i have tomorrow off, i'm going to go to the dealer and see who they use for a machine shop (i have no idea how to find one...) and get an opinion. found the riser for $200 ($150 less than I thought it would cost), so even with the machine work i'm hoping to get out of this for $400 or so...

Not knowing any better I would bet reaming a guide out for an oversized valve is something that can be done in house, rather than sending it out. I just asked my local Merc dealer who they use and took my head there. Whole job including two new valves, valve job and hardened seats was under $500. Good luck, gotta keep that old 470 running.

 

[vip-vindicator]

Re: 470 head repair/Ford interchangeable?

i had one a few years ago and switched the head to a automotive 460 head the front water port had to be opened up i think .125 or .250 cant remember. there a plenty of machine shops around here that can fix the guieds ive used the the guy at the napa in petersburg fast and cheap. thers wallys machine in chester. never used but there is a machine shop at the napa on chamberland rd in richmond i think the guys name the is chris marshall dont hold me to it. hope some of this helps. Powers is the name of the one in petersburg 804 862 1408 like i said hes done marine heads for me before fast and very good on prices