GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Special Tools

    • KM-253 Valve Guide Reamer
    • KM-254 Valve Guide Reamer
    • KM-255 Valve Guide Reamer
    • KM-340-1-C Cutter Set (KM-340-7, KM-340-13 and KM-340-26 all part of this kit)
    • KM-419 Distance Gage
    • KM-571-B Gage or Equivalent

Valve Grind-In

    Warning: Refer to Safety Glasses Warning in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1241769  Size: SH
  1. Lubricate the valve stem using a fine-grained paste.
  2. Lift the valve rhythmically from the seat with a commercially available valve grinding tool in order to distribute the paste.

  3. Object Number: 1241773  Size: SH
  4. Check the contact pattern on the valve head and in the cylinder head.
  5. Clean the valves, the valve guides, and the cylinder head.

Valve Grind

    Warning: Refer to Safety Glasses Warning in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1241775  Size: SH
  1. Ensure that there are no crater line burns on the valve cone.
  2. The valve may be reground only 2 times. Do not grind the valve stem end.
  3. The angle at the valve face angle is 46 degrees.

  4. Object Number: 1241778  Size: SH
  5. Check the valve stem projection using the KM-419  (1).

Valve Guide Ream

    Warning: Refer to Safety Glasses Warning in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1241779  Size: SH
  1. Measure the diameter of the valve guide using the KM-571-B  (1) and a commercially available inside micrometer.
  2. Note: Valve oversizes may already have been fitted in production.

    Note: An oversize code is on the valve guide and the valve stem end.

  3. An oversize code is on the valve guide and the valve stem end. The valve guide reaming table gives the correct size, reamer (1), and production code for each service code. Refer to the Valve Guide Reaming Table in Engine Mechanical Specifications .
  4. Ream the valve guide from the upper side of the cylinder head to the next oversize. After reaming, cross out the code and emboss the valve guide with the new code.

Valve Seat - Cut

    Warning: Refer to Safety Glasses Warning in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1241780  Size: SH
  1. Place the cylinder head on wooden blocks.
  2. Cut the intake and the exhaust valve seats using the KM-340-7 as follows:
  3. • The valve seat is a 45-degree (b) side using the KM-340-13.
    • The upper correction angle is a 30-degree (a) side using the KM-340-13.
    • The lower correction angle is a 60-degree (c) side using the KM-340-26.

    Object Number: 1241778  Size: SH
  4. Clean the chippings from the cylinder head.
  5. Inspect the dimension for the proper valve seat width.
  6. Specifications

        • The intake equals 1.3-1.5 mm (0.051-0.059 in).
        • The exhaust equals 1.6-1.8 mm (0.063-0.071 in).
  7. Inspect the valve stem projection using the KM-419  (1).

  8. Object Number: 1241782  Size: SH
  9. If the dimension is exceeded, install new valves and then check the valve stem projection again. Refer to Valve Grind and Valve Grind-In in the previous supporting text.
  10. If the valve stem projection is still too large despite replacing the valves, replace the cylinder head.