Albertsons and Co manufactured the Sioux valve grinding machine, which has been a staple in my automotive repair workshop for two decades. Over the years, this trusty Sioux unit has serviced countless valves, including those from the most exotic cars imaginable. What sets this machine apart is its precision in gripping the valves with its chuck, an essential feature for accurate grinding. Despite being an older model, the Albertsons machine is a remarkable piece of equipment that can be considered a great deal at around $250. While it’s fully serviceable, the complexity may not suit everyone.
Some months ago, I purchased a brand new Sioux hard seat grinder off eBay for about $500, which arrived complete with various stones, a dresser, and multiple adjustable pilots. This occurrence confirmed that acquiring reliable valve grinding and hard seat grinding machinery often involves a significant investment. Even with an extensive collection of Sioux tooling, a contemporary model still proved invaluable. Although the device dates back to the late 1940s or early 1950s, it remains appropriate for modern engines.
Valve grinding devices function far beyond basic bench grinders. High-quality machines like those from SIOUX or Black and Decker are virtually indispensable, especially when coupled with an attachment for holding the dresser, saving substantial time. The right side of the Sioux grinder, crafted for valve stems, offers incredible convenience for grinding small components to precise lengths. This feature proved advantageous when I worked on Jaguar and Maserati valve shims. Another crucial component is the coolant tank, which is essential for efficient operation.
Working on engine heads requires more than just a few pieces of valve grinding machinery. The sheer variety of tooling necessary for different heads and valves can be overwhelming. My collection includes at least sixty pilots for guides, and it’s still not exhaustive. Additionally, worn guides and bad seats often necessitate further investment in additional equipment. It's easy to find oneself drifting from automotive repair to machine tool collection.
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The primary issue is that the exhaust valve seats are angled at 37.5 degrees, and finding stones ground to that angle can be challenging. Investing around $400 in Neway cutters could solve the problem, as they offer the correct angle cutters. Interchangeability between different stone grinders is limited, with Sioux systems generally having the best compatibility. For additional information, you can check out this valve test procedure guide or contact us directly about our Valve Test Bench.
I use a wheel truing fixture equipped with a diamond-tipped tool, which can modify the stone's angle. Typically, you need three different stones to adjust the seat contact area to align with the center of the valve face. Some seats feature a .5-degree difference to ensure a smaller contact area, which helps maintain a lower temperature. The stone diameter must fit the head pocket, often requiring different sizes for intake and exhaust seats, resulting in a need for six stones. While I haven't worked on diesel engines, I’ve noticed Goodson Tool offers specific stone compositions for their hard seats. Therefore, a $400 investment could be worthwhile, even with shipping costs.
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