85 Corvette smoker
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,533
Likes: 77
From: Toronto ohio
85 Corvette smoker
Everytime I start up my 85 Corvette is bellows out a lot of smoke. I am assuming the valve seals have hardened over time and need replaced. Have a garage up north but 1,000 miles away. Called a few shops and they just blew me off and one replied they didn't have the tools to do it. Have a small 5 gallon air compressor and could rent a valve spring compressor. Think that would work? Also thought about performance heads but read doesn't help a stock engine very much.
I am near Brookfield if anyone recommends a garage close by
I am near Brookfield if anyone recommends a garage close by
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,874
Likes: 764
From: Sligo PA
It's sad because this isn't a difficult job at all. It's just time consuming. If you have the space and are willing to pick up a few extra tools then you can totally do this yourself. I think they even have a valve spring compressor at Harbour Freight. I know you can take the Harbour Freight compression tester and use it with a air chuck to hold the valves up. Also if you have a small compressor you don't need 100 psi to hold the valve up. 50 psi works great. This will help keep the compressor you have running less often during the job.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,111
Likes: 1,346
From: Mid-Atlantic
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Turned out to be a blessing, actually, because the one bigger job I did let a shop do was the rack and I still have to go back and adjust that thing right. Steering wheel is still off and the tie rods aren't adjusted evenly, so it has a different turn radius on each side. I'll have to make those adjustments myself when the weather breaks. The moral of that story is leaving a car with a mechanic who doesnlt really want to work on it is likely gonna leave you with a half-assed job.
When I went to pick it up the owner seemed like he was peeve just to have to work on the thing. Haven't been back there since.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 344
Likes: 65
From: Ontario, Canada
I can't recall because it's been decades since I've seen it done but is it advisable to turn the motor over as you do each cylinder so you get the piston close to TDC? That way if you lose pressure for any reason the valve won't disappear into the cylinder?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,580
Likes: 504
From: Indianapolis IN
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
If you have the space, by all means do it yourself. It's an easy job and you'll save a lot of money.
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