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Ok Guys this might sound like a dumb question. But I've been pulling my hair out trying to find out why my 430 was running like crap only to find out it had a broken valve spring. Is this a common thing?
Thanks Mike
No, Mike. I would say you got lucky. At least it held together and the valve got out of the way of your piston. WHEW!!!
The spring is very easy to fix. Afix an air hose to a spark plug nipple and run the compressor up to 125psi. The air will keep the valve closed while you change the spring.
For the air hose nipple, I gutted an old spark plug and welded a hose fitting to the base. I have one for the Y-block and another for FE's. - Dave
Thanks Dave for your reply. I have tryed to find a valve spring for the last week and no one can find me one. It's been a real pain in the ***. Took it to my local machine shop only to get the wrong one twice. Does anyone know where to find them ???
Mike, what is so special about your valve spring? They are VERY available and common. My engine machine shop gets them for about 30 cents each.
I suggest, if you broke one you should change them all. New valve springs really make a difference in engine characteristics because they're not all stiff.
I would like you to call my engine machine shop and speak with Mike, the owner. Tell him what you have and ask his opinion. Oh, and tell him Dave Dare from Royal Oak sent you.
As mentioned, all springs should be replaced as well as stem seals and a hard look at the rocker arm assembly(s). If the rocker arm assemblies are disassembled for service, follow the re-installation instructions carefully as their is a R & L rocker arm assembly.
Ok finally found the spring.This was a real pain, The guys from D&S where very helpful (Thanks Dave) I was able to find it at Egges in Ca. You were right Kultulz this is not a common part, I had 3 different machine shops order them only to be the wrong ones. Thanks for your help guys.
something I have seen in way too many years of mekanik work on old cars, is the fact that if an engine sits for a lot of time, the valve springs get ticked-off and loose there tension. I installed a 283 chevy a few years ago that had been built probably 20 years ago , when I pushed on the valve springs, 2 of them were so weak I could compress them by hand!! Just a warning.
Last edited by YellowRose; June 24, 2013, 11:07 AM.
Reason: Language correction....
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