Yea, been on the unlucky end with regular valve....

there is a good reason for Inconel...

Yep.
Tuliping and pitting are the only reasons to replace an inconel valve.

This is an old thread but I am in the process of putting a pair of 502 MPIs back together after they ran lean and melted the cylinder 6 piston in both engines and ate the center electrode out of the spark plug on the number 3 cylinder in both engines (at least the engines failed consistently)...

So the question is about the integrity of the valves after being subjected to this severe abuse. The valves are REV inconel exhaust and REV CL series intake valves. They all measure correct and the only visible damage is on two of the intake valves which have dents on the face which show as bumps on the head of the valve (there is no question these two are junk). Also, the heads (GM 088) had hardened seats installed on both the exhausts and intakes and on only one of the four heads there two loose intake seats and one loose exhaust seat. The exhaust valve associated with the loose seat does have a dark ring on the stem @ 1/2 inch from the head. Is it still the consensus these Inconel Exhaust valves could be reused?

Since I have 2 extra sets of 088 heads I have started disassembling them for reconditioning as I don't like the risk of the installed hardened seats coming loose on the original 4 heads.These heads were the original heads from 1997 502 MPI Magnums and they have what appears to be Inconel Exhaust Valves from the factory. The only marking on the valve is "Eaton" and the stem is attracted by a magnet but the head is not =Inconel? Does anyone know anything about Mercruiser using Inconel Exhaust valves on a 502 MPI Magnum? Are there any issues with these valves?


Thanks.

With that issue I would replace them, Pay now or pay layer...

I run lead additive in every tank to cushion the seats/valves, maybe it works maybe it doesn`t but I feel all warm and fuzzy about it

lead doesn't get along with O2 sensors real well

Ive only read on the subject and understand shortened life span and potential inaccurate readings but he might be turning off or removing between tunes not sure but I do know for sure I like the sound of feeling warm and fuzzy. Lol

Obviously I`m not putting real lead in my fuel (not sure where I`d even get that ) , the $10,000 fine and polluting the water with lead would be insane.
Lead alternative additives are 02 sensor and catalytic converters safe.

Who would use a real lead additive... it’s like removing all the emissions chit off your diesel tow rig!😂 we all have to do something to keep our vintage rigs rolling.