MikesXS Stainless Valves - Anyone else having trouble with them?

Punkskalar · Jan 20, 2011

I installed a set of MikesXS Stainless Valves last season, along with brand new viton oil seals while I was at it. I have had nothing but trouble ever since. There is constantly oil in the intake ports and running down the valves themselves. I even tore the engine down again this year to do new seals, thinking I had a bad batch of seals.

Finally got the bike fired up today, and its smoking like crazy. Checked compression, it is at 185-190lbs on both cylinders Pulled the carbs, and sure enough, more oil in the intakes :doh:

I've built several engines, all using stock valves without issue, but these stainless valves have been the death of me. I measured the guides, measured all clearances just like the manual says of course, but it is plain as day, you can see the oil coming down the valve shaft...

Looks like another tear down. I need to do it anyhow, my MikesXS cam chain is stretched to the max, and looks like i am going to need to do an overhaul with new valves and guides (since I am already in there)

Who else makes replacement valves for the XS? I've had great luck using 35 year old valves in the past, just dont want to risk it again, too much work for a smoky engine...

5twins · Jan 20, 2011

I would check with 3M at 650Central, maybe he has some better valves. He does have better cam chains. Do you have Mike's D.I.D. replacement cam chain in there now and if so, how long did it last? I ask because I have one in my bike now, nearing about 10K on it, still seems OK.

Punkskalar · Jan 20, 2011

This isn't a "I hate MikesXS" thread, his chain was whichever he sold several years ago, can't even remember. Seems to me it was about $79.00 or so. This chain owes me nothing :laugh:

I have about 10K miles on this engine, and they are not kind miles. Lots of full throttle, gear slamming, trying to blow the engine up kinda riding... The chain went through 2 broken camshafts and a dropped valve, so I think its fair to say it did its job. But I am down to the last 2-3 threads sticking out of the adjuster for the oil cap to hold onto, so Its time to get a good top end rebuild and do some maintenance in there...

Jack · Jan 20, 2011

Manganese guides are more compatible with stainless steel valves allowing you to run the clearances far tighter than with cast guides.

Punkskalar · Jan 20, 2011

Jack said:
Manganese guides are more compatible with stainless steel valves allowing you to run the clearances far tighter than with cast guides.

Manganese you say? Am I gonna have to machine them myself, or does someone already make them?

xjwmx · Jan 20, 2011

Good luck getting hold of manganese to machine them yourself....

Jack · Jan 20, 2011

Punkskalar said:
Manganese you say? Am I gonna have to machine them myself, or does someone already make them?

You just need to get the manganese liners.

xjwmx · Jan 20, 2011

There's manganese in my vitamins that could possibly be extracted. Probably easier to buy oem valves and guides from a dealer.

Jack · Jan 20, 2011

xjwmx said:
There's manganese in my vitamins that could possibly be extracted. Probably easier to buy oem valves and guides from a dealer.

I don't need vitamin supplements to get my manganese liners like you do,just need the right contacts.

xjwmx · Jan 20, 2011

I'm on the phone to Eddie Edmunds and Big Daddy Roth to get mine.

Jack · Jan 20, 2011

xjwmx said:
I'm on the phone to Eddie Edmunds and Big Daddy Roth to get mine.

If you have nothing constructive or anything remotely related to the subject in trying to help Hugh,then take you childish BS somewhere else Bud.Why this board puts up with your trolling behavior is beyond me,surely they have a swat team for sewer rats like yourself who randomly troll just for the sake of starting shit.

xjwmx · Jan 20, 2011

I am helping Hugh. I'm saying things for him that he doesn't dare say.

Punkskalar · Jan 20, 2011

Jack said:
If you have nothing constructive or anything remotely related to the subject in trying to help Hugh,then take you childish BS somewhere else Bud.Why this board puts up with your trolling behavior is beyond me,surely they have a swat team for sewer rats like yourself who randomly troll just for the sake of starting shit.

Jack, I appreciate your help. Was doing some research on these liners, and I would assume you've messed with it quite a bit in all of your days doing headwork. Some of the folks running sprint cars are going to smaller valve stems to improve flow and reduce weight of the valves. Researching 8mm valve guide liners led me to some folks that are swapping to a 7mm valve stem and using the liners to make up the difference. Is that something worth looking into for these heads?

CDNTX650 · Jan 20, 2011

I know thats what a lot of Triumph rodders do. If it works well on a trumpy 650 you would think the yam 650 would see some benfit.

xjwmx · Jan 21, 2011

My apologies if manganese parts are really a viable option. Just seems like there must be an easier way than that to get working valves....

grizld1 · Jan 21, 2011

That's your problem. You're more concerned about smarting off than learning or contributing. Learn how to shut up.

xjwmx · Jan 21, 2011

grizld1 said:
That's your problem.

No it isn't. Typical of your troubleshooting..

Punkskalar · Jan 21, 2011

xjwmx said:
No it isn't. Typical of your troubleshooting..

Listen you guys, if you are gonna get all internet warrior here and piss of Jack to where he doesn't come back, then we are gonna lose a really valuable resource. Jack may not be a huge post count kinda guy on this board, but he does the BEST headwork for our XS's, makes mine look like a hackjob (and I'm proud of my work, but he's got tons of knowledge and experience with these heads) No more whining.... Back to Valves :thumbsup:

xjwmx · Jan 21, 2011

We're free to choose our own gurus. That may piss off a guru. Now, you got my apology for anything I might have done wrong, earlier in the thread. So now like you I want to hear more about manganese inserts for my valves.

Punkskalar · Jan 21, 2011

Jack, you still around?

I have another engine here that did not burn any oil at all or smoke, and we just went through it and installed Stainless Valves as well. It should be fired up in the next few says, so we shall see how it does...

Looking at the liners, I'd rather install new guides and mess with it, but am fairly interested in learning more about the smaller valve stems being used in hot rod engines... But for now I gotta get this thing running and not-smoking :doh:

I'm half interested to see if the stem diameters are smaller than stock, or if my guides might be trashed. I'll take plenty of measurements once it is apart...

MikesXS Stainless Valves - Anyone else having trouble with them?

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