I'm refurbishing a 16V cylinder head and was wondering if anyone has any tips on the details of fitting / grinding the valves.
I've been advised that the optiomal sealing 'line' width (valve to seat) should be around 1.5mm - 2mm after having ground to fit.

This needs to be done correctly.  Seek out an old engine manual for this type or find an old machanic that knows what he is doing.

While I suggest that - I have done the same as you explain - but on very cheap engines - lawnmowers, etc.  and if I screwed it up - at least it ran a few more hours before totally shot.  But a 16 cylinder engine is probably worth a few bucks.

For a "modern" street engine that has a "few bent valves" from a broken timing belt....Yeah.  I see no real problem with just dropping in a new set of valves(Check Valves).  Just be sure that there is NO damage to the seat inserts.  Several ways to check for seating....stick a vacuum cleaner in the port and listen with a stethoscope (a piece of fuel hose will suffice). I prefer to lap the valves a bit.  Easy to do with a batt powered drill motor on the valve stem and a little "up and down" action.  Nothing major, just to see if the valve seats.  Like you said, NOT a race engine.

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