Valve seals done
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
How long does it normally take (the air presure, none remove heads method?) I have done seals when i did valve jobs before (20 years ago). With the correct spring compressor, how long can a guy plan on for this project? Do you guys all make sure the piston is TDS on each cylinder when doing this?
the smoke on starte up while nothing really is embaresing.
Clok
the smoke on starte up while nothing really is embaresing.
Clok
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Do you guys all make sure the piston is TDS on each cylinder when doing this?
I'd say it could be done in a day but a weekend ain't a bad idea.
I used the "rope trick" to assure no chance of a dropped valve so the pistons were at TCD.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 125
From: Dunstable MA
St. Jude Donor '05
Jim, You have an 87. How did you deal with the EGR pipe? DId you remove the exhaust manifold as the FSM suggests, or did you wrestle with the clamp? I've got everything to do the job, and I'm hesitating because of that one thing.
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
thanks!
Clok
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
From: North Bay Ontario
Same here - I'd estimate I took 8 hours this spring. Booked a couple of days vacation that I had to burn up or lose and spent them - just me and the vette in my garage. Took my time, and played things doubly cautious, by rotating the crank so each piston was just a bit before TDC and used air. Once the valve springs were removed, I just shut the compressor off and let the valves sit on top of the pistons while I puttered away. Clamped a set of vice grips with rubber hoses on the jaws on the crank pulley and wedged against the front cross bar otherwise the crank would rotate when I put the air in the cylinder. I seem to remember using about 70 lbs when tapping the retainer to loosen it from the keepers and about 35 lbs when re-installing the seals, springs, keepers etc. A very rewarding job when it's done!
Last edited by pletzvet; Aug 13, 2008 at 11:18 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 780
Likes: 0
From: New Port Richey Florida
When I did mine getting the clamp off the egr pipe was a PIA but I was able to knock it off with a long punch. I never did put it back on, I straightened it out and put in in my tool box in case i had a problem but I haven't so far. I just set the pipe in place and tightend the manifold bolts so far so good.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,383
Likes: 4
I haven't done this but the rope trick is stuffing a quality length of rope into the sparkplug hole until no more rope will fit easily and then squishing an extra inch or so in. If the crank turns and the valve falls it will be on soft rope fiber and not on a hard piston top.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
From: North Bay Ontario
I haven't done this but the rope trick is stuffing a quality length of rope into the sparkplug hole until no more rope will fit easily and then squishing an extra inch or so in. If the crank turns and the valve falls it will be on soft rope fiber and not on a hard piston top.