flat head problem

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally posted by alleramilitaria
changed the carb and timmed it, more power yes, minimal backfires. but im not there yet. im thinking i may have a stuck / burned valve. any advice?

im thinking about pulling the intake / heads and hone the valve seats and see if i have a broken or bent valve.

thanks everyone

Dave
Do a compression test first...
Do a "dry" test first and write down the compression on each cylinder(With all the plugs out..)
Then ,one at a time ,squirt a little motor oil down the spark plug holes...
Record all the "wet" readings..
That will tell you if it is rings or valves..
I'm working from 40 years ago of memories here but I think any thing over 85 pounds compression should be good..
If there is no change between wet and dry readings and the compression is low it is valves..
If the compression goes up on the wet readings it is rings...
I would do that first before I pulled the heads to give me an indication of the condition of each cylinder anyway..
Others here will correct me on the theory and numbers ,but do a compression test first.It is in your workshop manual..
To adjust the valves on the flattie the stems AND seats have to be ground..Do not over heat..the valve stems are sodium filled..
(I think)