valve seal replacement
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
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valve seal replacement
i was told that i need to have my valve seals replaced and the old timer that told me this said it is possible to have the valves "blown" out using a compressor. is there any science to this or should i leave this to the experts?
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 249
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From: Sacramento, CA.
You can do it in the truck. You have to remove the rockers, locks, retainers and springs.
You need a spring compressor and an air compressor fitting that fits into your spark plug hole.
Remove the rocker, air up the cylinder to hold the valve in place, compress the spring, remove the locks, retainer and spring.
Remove and replace the stem seal, replace the other parts in reverse order.
It can be done but it is a pain. And who's to say what else is worn.
You may be better off removing the heads and taking them to a machine shop and let them check them out.
You need a spring compressor and an air compressor fitting that fits into your spark plug hole.
Remove the rocker, air up the cylinder to hold the valve in place, compress the spring, remove the locks, retainer and spring.
Remove and replace the stem seal, replace the other parts in reverse order.
It can be done but it is a pain. And who's to say what else is worn.
You may be better off removing the heads and taking them to a machine shop and let them check them out.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,996
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From: Pittsburgh,Pa.
If you're not familiar with engine work you might be better off sending the job to a good shop. All it takes to junk an engine is a couple of valve keepers that didn't seat correctly.
On another note. Years ago I was 4 wheeling with some friends. One guy's truck started popping and backfiring bad. After checking all of the usual stuff we found his 428CJ had broken a valve spring. About 2 miles from any sort of paved road. We had to fix it on the spot. To make a long story short we held the valves closed by filling the cylinder with clothes line rope. It got the job done and I've used the trick a few times since.
On another note. Years ago I was 4 wheeling with some friends. One guy's truck started popping and backfiring bad. After checking all of the usual stuff we found his 428CJ had broken a valve spring. About 2 miles from any sort of paved road. We had to fix it on the spot. To make a long story short we held the valves closed by filling the cylinder with clothes line rope. It got the job done and I've used the trick a few times since.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 6
From: UPSTATE NY
If you're not familiar with engine work you might be better off sending the job to a good shop. All it takes to junk an engine is a couple of valve keepers that didn't seat correctly.
On another note. Years ago I was 4 wheeling with some friends. One guy's truck started popping and backfiring bad. After checking all of the usual stuff we found his 428CJ had broken a valve spring. About 2 miles from any sort of paved road. We had to fix it on the spot. To make a long story short we held the valves closed by filling the cylinder with clothes line rope. It got the job done and I've used the trick a few times since.
On another note. Years ago I was 4 wheeling with some friends. One guy's truck started popping and backfiring bad. After checking all of the usual stuff we found his 428CJ had broken a valve spring. About 2 miles from any sort of paved road. We had to fix it on the spot. To make a long story short we held the valves closed by filling the cylinder with clothes line rope. It got the job done and I've used the trick a few times since.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 10
From: **** hole San Jose ca.
dang thats the craziest thing i ever heard. can you elaborate on this please? with the cylinder moving up and down all the time how did the rope hold the valve closed? also how did this not destroy the motor? i guess it dont matter if all that did matter was getting it home but i just cant put this all together.
Hmmmm dats ez one have the motor turned off :
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 290
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From: Las Vegas
Orich got it! You use the rope in place of air pressure in the cylinder to hold the valves closed while making the repair, not while driving. Some valve spring compressors actually give you a "special" piece of rope to use. On another note, I would do a serious assessment of the rest of the engine (compression test, etc.) before having the heads done. I have seen many times that doing a valve job on a high mileage motor, with semi weak rings, can cause blowby/broken rings thus causing even worse oil burning/smoking problems. just my 2 cents.
Gene
Gene
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
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From: **** hole San Jose ca.
Yeah I've seen the same type of things happen. When the seal get hard and crack you know pretty much it's a high mileage motor that really needs freshen up. It's not all that ez r&r Fe heads plus that heavy 78-lb cast iron intake.. Rings & bearing our cheap. That may take you 50,000 miles or so done the road... My 2 cents
orich
orich
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,338
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From: UPSTATE NY
oh okay i get it. silly me. i thought you meant leave it in there and drive it home that way, i was like wtf?
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