351m

Back story:
I removed the intake manifold to change the gasket. I noticed a lot of coking on the heads so pulled them to clean them up. I also am replacing a couple valve lifters.


I removed the heads, turned them upside down and filled them with liquid and left to get parts. I came back and they were still full, no leaks.

I was not blowing blue smoke or anything, should I just clean em up and run them? Or remove them all and clean the carbon off the stems.

I have to have this back together tomorrow.

 

Put it back together and drive it. Serving suggestion.

I did the same on a 289 and it was running when I pulled it in a foolish exercise of "I wanna build an engine....". But I digress....

 

I did that with a '72 and 390, lol.

But, I figured you guys would not comp me a break and tell me to pull the valves, so one head is apart. I am glad I did because now I know the seals will be new.

I am using a $12.99 spring compressor from Harbor Freight. Not the best $12.99 that I have spent.

 

I have seen a lot of valveguide wear in these engines; thatin mind, it would be my recommendation to pull valves, and maybe even replace if the mic out. That would be money spent better than the $12.99

 

The engine was running well before I pulled the stuff off, so I am not going to go deep in the pockets here. I just got one head back together. Going to do a leak test and jump on the other one.

 

Jklnhyd,

I'm certain YOU will feel better about getting the heads cleaned up! If you've got the ability to do it, then why not since you're that far into it? You may notice a little performance increase, but you will almost certainly gain some longevity out of it.

For what it's worth - the pneumatic valve spring compressors are the bomb, and the giant C-clamp type are good, but every other type of valve spring compressor I've tried is junk.

 

Mostly because I don't have the money and it needs to be done today so I can be to work tomorrow.
This isn't a great truck, just something to get to work.

 

Did you lap the valves before re-assembly?

A fresh set of springs would have been a nice touch with the new seals...

 

A new truck would have gone nicely with the seals too.

 

Your signature and you could be driving one...

 

Well, got it all back together, ran for like 4 minutes then stopped.

Doesn't sound good.

I shoulda left it alone.

 

I didn't know about priming the lifters.

 

You shouldn't have to prime lifters.

They may not bleed entirely down before first fire.

 

I put new ones in.

Tomorrow I will rent an oil pump primer and hope for the best, lol.


Or maybe Saturday...

 

Jklnhyd,

A decent 1/2" drill, 1/4" locking extension, or duct tape on a regular extension with your deepwell socket and you've got you own priming tool. Just remember to spin it counterclockwise.