I could really use some help guys. I like to think I know what Im doing most of the time but i live in the country with little expert help around. Its been a while since i dug into a engine other then 2x outboards...so this place seems like a great place to help connect people and I wanted to say hello to everyone and say thanks for what insight you might share with me and others....stock 460...block is 84...sent out 78 heads to have done computer type cnc was used, correct indexing...right side is open all four... would not run on all right side would compressing all over the place to 60 or75lbs maybe. hiss on compress, back fire. valves were not closed all the way....left side 120 and ok ( engine runs on 4 down the street popping) took it off...back to shop checked height to spring seat..some grinding a few little over...set them to middle of speck ground all....vacuum test ok...valve height is correct, head height is correct.... was using the 84 rockers and push rods....put it together same problem ... push rods from 78 block seem a hair bigger and tried rocker and rod same problem as hair shorter ones that had the problem first.... the engine being static, the old lifters and the new ones I am trying now, lifters don't depress, the valve are opening and the valves with lift on the cam, do adjust and lifters depress slightly. To me because there is enough pressure from compressing the spring due to cam lift, the lifters are acting normal... my thinking is the springs are bad...with no lift the valves are not closing and the lifters are not compressing...the machine shop has a new steamer washer auto washer type could the have distempered the springs on just the one side???...they left my other parts from the other cracked heads 84, valves, rods, rockers and springs in the bottom tank for days??? They said they checked spring pressure originally but did not check second time when they had chance I was there...Question Should the lifter, and no lift, compress, and the valve remain closed even if lifter is fully pumped up? BTW my girl wears Bow Ties and keeps telling me "DNR!...DNR!" Do Not Resuscitate. cute hun. stop raging on my rescue vehicle.... thanks Jim

 

Yes!

Loosen the rocker up, and swing it off to a side to be able to get at the top of a valve. Put something onto the top of the valve and try to open it by pushing hard with two hands. Ought to be real real hard to. If it is easy, then those valve springs must be real weak. But are you sure that you don't have too long of pushrods, holding the valve open even when the lifter is on the no-lift part of the cam?

 

Maybe that head has been milled down too far and has the rocker arm geometry all messed up. Measure both heads from the bottom( where the head gasket is) up to the valve cover boss. See if they are the same. The head may have been milled down before you got them.
Jimmy

 

thanks, the head height ids correct, push rods are correct and stock. at rest lifters are not compressing or adjusting and valves are open..will try spring test, pushing on them, cant think of anything else.

 

Not unless you got a set of lifters that had some solid (Not Hyd.) mixed together.
I am assuming that the pedistal heights have been check as well?
Jimmy

 

Thanks, I feel springs are bad. pushed on them with one hand and they opened somewhat easly. i feel I pushed with a rag in my hand about 35-50 lbs and they opend. Both heads are off now. I didnt have this problem when they went out. the machine shop got a new auto steam washer and Im wondering about how long they were in and if its possiable to distempering the springs. Also the valves, caps and keepers were in there in the bottom for a while and went through a few cycles also from what I understand. Im going to find out the operating temps and mfg recomdations. unless anyone know about these steamers cleaners... and if the other parts I listed above could get britle also. Well thats my thinking.....Thanks all Jim

 

It is possible. Heat will kill springs. You shouldn't be able to push the springs by hand, that's for sure. I don't understand why new ones weren't installed in the first place. That's one of the things that I would never reuse unless they were very low miles. It's too easy to drop a valve and ruin a new motor. You may be lucky that it wouldn't run saving extensive damage down the road.
Jimmy

 

thanks All & Jimmy,
40k on the rebuild before new springs were installed then...I expected the springs to be fine. I also relied on the shop to check for me. The machine shop "SAID" they were checked and ok. The heads went in for filling crossovers and had no spring problem or running problem before tare down..They also said they would stand behind their work, any parts I used and book time @ what rate I dont know, If their work was wrong...I think im worth as much as my lawer 175.00 hr dont you... We'll see... What about the valves, rockers and keepers. Did they distemper????..Illl get back to you on temps in the washer and all that...Dam, you know as if it didn't suck doing it the first time in a econoline. ...Thats my thinking...Im junking everything that was in the steamer....thanks again all..regards Jim

 

It shouldn't hurt the rockers or keepers but,I think I'd have to use new keepers anyways( cheap insurance) You don't want to be eating one.

I was lost thru most of this thread because I thought they would have checked those springs with everything else but who knows.

 

I guess maybe they either installed the wrong springs on that head or only checked the one head and figured the other to be OK too. That sounds like shoddy workmanship to me.
I don't know what kind of cam that you are running, but you can buy a complete kit to redo the heads From CompCams. It will have new springs, retainers, shims, and locks that are stronger than stock and should last a long time
For your trouble, that should be the least that they can do for you, unless they want to reinstall the heads on the van for you. On second thought, maybe not since the have already screwed up once!!
Jimmy

 

Thanks again all, good point on kit Jimmy, thanks. I have been doing the install. I would't let them near my truck. They even race on one of the big time can am or gran am one of those. The owners only there like 2-3 days a week if that and it shows...They blew there last engine and missed another weeked of racing, because their mecanic said"I thought that rod cap looked kind of funny when I put it in" yea I'll let them near my truck...right...And I was invited to bring it down to their shop that only services their racing program and their own personal cars..... well im not going to say to much more, small world...A cam kit is in order and a older style chain while im having so much fun. ok thanks all, end of thread, i'll put up a post when it running and a little info on what I find from the steam cleaner for all to know about.I will be contacting the mfg of the equiptment...regards Jim