[alfa] long-term consequences of poorly-sealing valve

[Joe Elliott <jee@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I know everyone is at the convention, I'm just hoping you all read 
this when you get back.

I recently installed a used engine in my car.  Before installing it, 
I did a compression test, and a sort of half-assed leakdown test. 
The only thing I could find wrong with it was that one intake valve 
didn't seal nearly as well as the others.

Now that it's in the car, I'm noticing a distinct change in the 
exhaust note when I open the throttle at certain engine speeds (~2500 
& up).  I think it's worth mentioning that this (largely custom) 
exhaust system has always been prone to weird resonance, and it's 
been a couple years since I've heard it hooked up to stock cams. 
Assuming that this noise is related to the recently-installed engine, 
could it be symptomatic of the questionable intake valve?

Next question: regardless of whether it's related to the noise, 
should I be worried about an intake valve that's not sealing 
properly?  Is it likely to get worse to the point that the engine 
will be running on basically 5 cylinders?  Will it catch its 
respective intake runner on fire?  People talk about burned valves 
like a major immobilizing failure, but this engine starts right up, 
idles very smoothly (keep in mind I'm used to a very screwed-up 
engine with hot cams), and seems very strong and smooth.

Thanks,
Joe Elliott
'82 GTV-6
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