Topic: I've been inside an engine before, I assume this is bad...

[ncstatecamp]

Not sure how to read valves... Are these shot? I was planning on trying to reuse these. No idea the mileage here....

[AJK]

Not sure why you call this bad? You would be surprised how nice things will look after a good cleanup. Everything looks ok to me & typical of what you would see on a normal running motor. It looks a tad oily, but moreso like it was running a bit rich.
  There is no evidence of chamber damage & the exhaust valves have normal crust with a normalish colour.

Clean everything up, then you can move onto the next step of checking for worn valve guides which would be a better indicator.

Perhaps others could chime in.

[martin99]

Not sure why you call this bad? You would be surprised how nice things will look after a good cleanup. Everything looks ok to me & typical of what you would see on a normal running motor. It looks a tad oily, but moreso like it was running a bit rich.
  There is no evidence of chamber damage & the exhaust valves have normal crust with a normalish colour.

Clean everything up, then you can move onto the next step of checking for worn valve guides which would be a better indicator.

+1. Carry on sir!

[kammery]

 Put the spark plugs back into there holes . Fill the combustion chamber with water . Shoot compressed air into each port . If the valves are leaking you will see air bubbles . Exhaust valves will run a little hotter than intakes .

[reddyvv]

Looks perfectly fine to me. Give 'em a good lapping job, new seals and go on your way.

[Bankerdanny]

Just normal looking combustion crud.

[Vinhead1957]

I agree doesn't look too bad.   You have it off a good valve job is worth doing anyway.

[ncstatecamp]

O alright then, just looked crudier then I was expecting. So i saw a thing in some manual I downloaded that said I should fill each valve (spring side I believe) with a solvent and see which is leaking. I was planning on lapping valves anyway.

To clean these up after I soaked them in a small bucket (keeping them labeled for location) in oven cleaner or something, I saw a video showing using a drill and a scotchbrit to polish em up a bit and remove crud. Is this a good idea? The video was made by motion pro and name brand stuff....

[MRieck]

I'd be more concerned about how the tips look...they are usually shot (especially on an older head like the one you you have). I am sure there is a good amount of pitting and erosion on the valve faces....you can lap them all you want but it still won't seal well. If you want to really test seal take it to a shop and have it vacuum tested on the Serdi....I think you will be very surprised at the results.

[ncstatecamp]

Any idea what this crap is? It's below the gasket surface for the jugs. Theirs no vent to the and it's packed kinda firmly.

[Jasondo]

looks ok to me. soak the valves overnight in oven cleaner. they will look good as new

[MoMo]

it sure looks like blue silicon sealant, and that is not good...Larry

[ncstatecamp]

It feels gritty like sand or dirt. No spring or goopy feel like silicon.

[bjbuchanan]

My engine had heavy grit there too. I think that leakers accumulate there