Valve Train

What Is the Valve Train and Why Does It Matter?

The valve train is one of the most critical — and most precisely engineered — systems inside any internal combustion engine. It encompasses every component responsible for opening and closing the intake and exhaust valves in precise synchronization with the pistons: valves, valve guides, valve springs, retainers, keepers, camshafts, rocker arms, pushrods, lifters, and tappets. Together, these parts control the flow of the air-fuel mixture into the combustion chamber and the expulsion of exhaust gases out of it.

When a valve train component wears, cracks, or falls out of spec, the consequences ripple across the entire engine. Poor valve sealing leads to compression loss, reduced power, increased fuel consumption, and — left unaddressed — potentially catastrophic engine damage. Whether you're rebuilding a high-revving motorsport engine, restoring a classic, maintaining a small utility engine, or doing a routine top-end refresh, choosing the right valve train components is not an area to cut corners.

What to Look for When Shopping Valve Train Components

• Material matters: Stainless steel valves offer excellent durability for street use, while titanium valves shed weight for high-performance and racing applications. Valve guides are commonly made from bronze or cast iron, each suiting different heat and wear profiles.
• OEM vs. performance spec: Some applications call for OEM-spec replacement parts that restore factory tolerances; others benefit from upgraded components that exceed factory specs in durability, heat resistance, or flow capacity.
• Application fit: Valve train parts are highly engine-specific. Always verify compatibility by engine make, model, and year — even small dimensional differences can cause improper seating, accelerated wear, or failure.
• Complete kits vs. individual components: Many builders prefer sourcing matched valve spring kits, retainers, and keepers together to ensure consistent tolerances across the entire valve train system.

Top Valve Train Brands

Kibblewhite Precision Machining (KPMI) is a legend in the motorsports world. Kibblewhite has been manufacturing valve train components for the motorsport industry for decades, with a product line spanning valves, valve guides, valve springs, retainers, seals, and tappets for applications ranging from Harley-Davidson cruisers to dirt bikes, ATVs, and personal watercraft. Their valve guides, standard valves, and spring kits are engineered to exceed OEM specifications in durability and expected service life — making them a favorite of both weekend riders and professional racing teams alike.

Elring is a globally respected German manufacturer with deep roots in OEM engine component supply. Elring brings the same precision engineering standards found on factory assembly lines to the aftermarket, making their valve train parts a trusted choice for enthusiasts and technicians who demand exact-fit, exact-spec components for European and domestic engines.

Briggs & Stratton is the go-to source for valve train parts in small engines. As one of the world's largest producers of gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment — including lawn mowers, generators, and pressure washers — Briggs & Stratton OEM valve components ensure proper fit and long-term reliability for their own engine platforms, making them the natural first choice for small engine repair and maintenance.