Stainless Valves

As JWL has stated, the fuels and lubricants used today are head and shoulders above anything that was available in the flathead era. As much as people bang on todays fuel, if we went back to the old days, there would be some real howling.
 
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When Using the L-100 cam, or any cam with a net lift over .350. I like to use SBC OEM valves. These are a 2 piece valve of Hi quality and are .060" longer than the stock Ford valve. This allows the adjustable lifter to be much shorter and less prone to come loose. Unfortunately the bottom of the valve is poorly shaped for a Flathead and I under cut this at a 20 deg angle with a 3/4 round carbide. Probably not necessary for a street engine.
 
Again, the original question was: "is there any good reason to use stainless valves", in our Flatheads. The answer is no. This question has nothing to do with whether or not government engineers at NASA can develope better materials than the Ford engineers of 60 or 70 years past. The question has nothing to do with how much money can be spent on personal preference modifications. So, what are we trying to do here? Answer the original question or prove that there are ways to spend more money doing unnecessary modifications? Nearly any component in ANY modern or antique engine could be replaced with something stronger, lighter, tougher, with higher cycle life. But, is there any "good" reason to do that? Thousands, perhaps millions of Flathead engines have operated for millions of trouble-free miles with the stock Ford valves and guides.
 
The question has been answered.
The acceptance is with the owner,be it his decision as to what parts he desires.That would be the "good reason" in their mind. Feel free to make your own choices on this "painless" or was that "stainless" valve issue.
 
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