Valves

American Valve Center is USA Division of Basso S.A. of Argentina, a valve manufacturer of automotive and heavy-duty diesel valves for distribution in North and Central America. Our High-Quality Engine Valves are manufactured for Passenger Car & Truck, Heavy Duty Diesel and High Performance/Racing applications. Our multi-level inspection process (QS-9000 & ISO-9001) assures every valve meets the highest quality standards. Our Engine Valves are manufactured using the latest technology, highest standards and highest quality alloys. Basso S.A. achieved ISO 9001-94 certification because of its quality systems in October of 1977 and continues to renew the certification, making the company internationally qualified for design and manufacturing of engine components for OEM and Aftermarket. Basso’s 235,000 square foot, state of the art manufacturing facility utilizes all facets of the latest design and production technology available, allowing us to maintain 100% control of design, engineering, testing and manufacturing. Through continuous efforts focusing on high quality and customer service, we continue to maintain a high level of certification. With three industrial plants and a modern Research and Development Center, Basso Group companies have been consolidated as a viable alternative in the manufacturing of engine valves for the Automotive Industry and the most competitive Aftermarkets around the world.
CERTIFICATIONS
ISO/TS 16949:
Basso S.A. quality system is certified under ISO / TS 16949 Version 2009.This quality standard, is specific to the automotive industry, and unifies the criteria established by the standards QS 9000 (United States), EAQF '94 (France), VDA 6.1 (Germany) and AVSQ (Italy). This global quality system adopted by Basso S.A. corresponds to the main automotive industries demands for off-road vehicles, heavy and medium duty, aviation and the most important replacement markets in the world.
ISO 9001:
It is a general, internationally recognized standard, so it can be applied to any manufacturing industry or service. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has created this system with the objective of establishing international requirements, certainly fulfilled by Basso S.A.
QSB and QSB PLUS
This standard is specific to the Group PSA automotive terminals -Peugeot -Citroën- and General Motors. Basso S.A. is a direct supplier of these industries at national and international level.

American Valve Center offers Valve Guides which are cast and precisely machined to OEM specifications and industry standards using the latest available materials and technology. Each Valve Guide is casted using materials to meet or exceed the OEM requirements. These materials and styles of Valve Guides will vary depending on the environment and intended usages. Our material ranges from standard cast iron to high strength alloys, OEM alloys and proprietary alloys for severe duty applications. Our Valve guides, where required, will have the necessary heat treatment and special coatings. Our standard universal conversion Valve Guides are offered with a plain inner diameter or with an internal oil groove (Spiral Groove) to provide precise oil retention within the Valve Guide inner diameter. which will assist in preventing premature wear. Our standard universal conversion guides are also offered in a Heat Treated version in many part number. Some OEM designs also require special internal and external designs and in those instances our Valve Guides will meet the required design. After installing any Valve Guide, it is recommended to check your valve stem to guide clearances. During the installation process, the inner diameter may distort or crush due to interference and by checking and following the factory recommended specifications for clearances, you can prevent wear and/or valve stem seizure.

American Valve Center Valve Springs are manufactured using the latest technology and highest quality standards the industry has to offer as well as using the highest quality chrome silicon, high tensile chrome silicon vanadium and chrome silicon vanadium nickel materials available. Our valve springs are designed to meet or exceed the OEM requirement. Each Valve Spring goes through a shot peening process to increase durability and for stress relief. Each Valve Spring goes through heat treatment processes as well as a “Hot Set” process to extend the life and to minimize load loss. Our Valve Springs are inspected throughout the manufacturing process to maintain consistent dimensions and the highest quality. While we offer height and load test specifications based on the best possible resources, some of these may not be the actual height and load required for your application and are for test and manufacturing purposes only. We always recommend checking the installed height and load against the OEM specifications.

American Valve Center offers High Quality Valve Stem Seals designed and manufactured to meet the required oil metering rate, and material for aftermarket and OEM type applications for Passenger Car & Truck, Heavy Duty Diesel and Performance type applications. Modern day engine designs and emission standards demand a precise metering function in which the Valve Stem Seal provides. Positive Valve stem seals are designed and engineered to allow a small amount of oil to pass through their lips (oil-metering) to lubricate the valve stem / valve guide interface of an engine. If too much oil passes through the lip of the seal, emissions are worsened and deposits build up on the valve, potentially causing the engine to lose power or even fail. If too little oil passes through the lip of the seal, the valve does not receive enough lubrication and the valve will scuff, which ultimately will cause the valve to seize. The ideal metering rate lies between these two extremes. For this reason our Valve Stem Seals are designed to perform just as the OEM requires and for your specific needs. Valve Stem Seals come in many styles and materials and American Valve Center’s Valve Stem Seal coverage ensures we have the right Valve Stem Seal for your needs. Whether it’s an Umbrella Type, All Rubber Type, Positive Ring & Band, Positive Ring & Spring, Positive 1 Ring & 2 Ring, Positive Top Hat Style ( With Spring Seat ), Positive Metal Clad, All Teflon® or an O-Ring. Our Valve Stem Seals are designed using the highest quality materials to include Viton™, Teflon®, Nitrile, Polyacrylate and Silicon.