C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
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Old Oct 17, 2008 | 10:26 AM
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My 350/300 has developed a bad "miss" that I think I've isolated to a specific cylinder. I've check for spark (and replaced plug and wire) and have spark at that cylinder. There don't seem to be any vacuum or other obvious issues.

I think the next step is to check compression. That may tell me if I have a valve or cam problem. Can anyone tell me what the compression should be?

I'm also open to any other diagnostic suggestions you may have, so bring it on!
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Old Oct 17, 2008 | 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by midlifemuscle
I think the next step is to check compression. That may tell me if I have a valve or cam problem. Can anyone tell me what the compression should be?
Hard to say what the compression should be. Too many variables. Check all of them and compare to each other. They should all be within 10%. If not, you may have found the problem.
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Old Oct 28, 2008 | 12:24 PM
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Thanks for your reply. I checked and compression was fine, but I did find a few severely fouled plugs that indicated a leak in the intake valve seals. I'm planing on replacing them soon using a method a mechanic friend of mine suggested - Using the hose and male screw fitting from the compression gauge, pressurize the cylinder using an air compressor to keep the valves seated and from falling into the cylinder. Then remove the rocker & spring assembly and replace the seal. He says it's easy - any thoughts?
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Old Oct 28, 2008 | 05:42 PM
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That's the way to do it. You should put on the Chevy seal and also the "umbrella" type seal when you do the work.
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Old Oct 28, 2008 | 08:09 PM
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Originally Posted by midlifemuscle
...I did find a few severely fouled plugs that indicated a leak in the intake valve seals. ...
If you have enough oil to foul the plugs, it's not the seals. You're probably looking at cruddy oil control rings or worn valve guides.
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Old Oct 28, 2008 | 08:16 PM
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Has the intake manifold been off lately ?
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Old Oct 30, 2008 | 12:32 PM
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Originally Posted by MotorHead
Has the intake manifold been off lately ?
Not in the past 5K miles, but don't know before that - why?
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Old Oct 30, 2008 | 12:33 PM
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Originally Posted by gerry72
If you have enough oil to foul the plugs, it's not the seals. You're probably looking at cruddy oil control rings or worn valve guides.
I'll let you know. The mechanic who I'm working with is pretty reliable with his advice, but he could be wrong.
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Old Oct 31, 2008 | 07:26 AM
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Originally Posted by gerry72
If you have enough oil to foul the plugs, it's not the seals. You're probably looking at cruddy oil control rings or worn valve guides.

I had plugs fouling and blowing some blue smoke on my L-82 about 15 years ago and replaced the OEM valve stems seals with umbrella seals only and solved the problem. If had to do it again, I would definitely change both the valve stems seals with OEM seals AND the umbrella seals for insurance. Bad valve stems seals will definitely foul your plugs as the only problem.
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Old Oct 31, 2008 | 10:52 AM
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Originally Posted by midlifemuscle
Thanks for your reply. I checked and compression was fine, but I did find a few severely fouled plugs that indicated a leak in the intake valve seals. I'm planing on replacing them soon using a method a mechanic friend of mine suggested - Using the hose and male screw fitting from the compression gauge, pressurize the cylinder using an air compressor to keep the valves seated and from falling into the cylinder. Then remove the rocker & spring assembly and replace the seal. He says it's easy - any thoughts?
Make sure each Cylinder is at TDC, just to be safe, If I didn't do that, I would have dropped a valve, the air pressure leaks faster than I thought, after I blew the compressor's circuit breaker.


I also fed a rope into the cylinder through the spark plug hole, so that when I compressed the springs the valves hit the rope and let me pop the keepers out.
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Old Oct 31, 2008 | 09:16 PM
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Originally Posted by midlifemuscle
Not in the past 5K miles, but don't know before that - why?
Misaligned intake manifold gasket is a common problem and you can get fouled plugs from it, usually one or two side by side
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