I have a pair of fresh zero mile 340 heads that will go on a mild cammed engine for street use. They have new Ferrea valves and bronze liners. There is a little lateral movement in the valves when I wiggle them. I usually don't feel any slop in fresh heads. How much is too much?

loose better than tight

too tight will stick a valve open


measure distance between valve heads

3/8 intake valves from .00175 to .00225 with bronze guides and good Teflon seals, .0020 to .00250 on the stock size 3/8 valves on exhaust sides has works very well for me the last 30 +years on stock cast iron Mopar heads with bronze liners, BB, Hemi and SB

They measure .002 pretty much across the board