Does this valve spring look normal? Help!
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From: Las Vegas NV
Does this valve spring look normal? Help!
Background: I just picked up this 99 TR FRC a month ago. My first Vette 
sadly it's been giving me some trouble. last week, I was driving home and the engine didn't feel right. I pulled over, looked under the hood, the car, all the temps are fine, no check engine light etc...I thought I was just imagining things. started the car and I hear random knocking sound from the driver side along with rpms boggging
called the flatbed and got it home. Spring in question is the last one
took the intake manifold off and found two plastic pieces rattling inside.
couldn't find where they came from, checked the manifold for and cracks etc..nothing. looked at air bridge and intake...nothing. I put manifold back on and started the car but the noise is still there.
now I'm on a mission to find the cause of this strange occurrence. the rods are straight along with rockers. Im too tired to pull the heads
Thanks for reading and opinions
sadly it's been giving me some trouble. last week, I was driving home and the engine didn't feel right. I pulled over, looked under the hood, the car, all the temps are fine, no check engine light etc...I thought I was just imagining things. started the car and I hear random knocking sound from the driver side along with rpms boggging
called the flatbed and got it home. Spring in question is the last onetook the intake manifold off and found two plastic pieces rattling inside.
couldn't find where they came from, checked the manifold for and cracks etc..nothing. looked at air bridge and intake...nothing. I put manifold back on and started the car but the noise is still there.
now I'm on a mission to find the cause of this strange occurrence. the rods are straight along with rockers. Im too tired to pull the heads
Thanks for reading and opinions
Last edited by Hamirvette; Sep 22, 2012 at 11:29 AM.
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From: Dyer, IN
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As light as they are, how did they not get sucked into any one of the cylinders?
I wonder if some previous owner or so-called "mechanic" was prying on, or screwing around with trying to remove/replace the large fitting on the rear of the manifold and broke some pieces that fell inside?
Number 568 in the picture:
I wonder if some previous owner or so-called "mechanic" was prying on, or screwing around with trying to remove/replace the large fitting on the rear of the manifold and broke some pieces that fell inside?
Number 568 in the picture:
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Sorry I should of mentioned that in the original post, but NO I havent done anything else to the engine. I have been fixing the little issues since I got the car (dim hvac, window motor, headlight motor etc..) but nothing to the engine except oil change.
The part 568 in the diagram is intact on the back
The part 568 in the diagram is intact on the back
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Sorry I should of mentioned that in the original post, but NO I havent done anything else to the engine. I have been fixing the little issues since I got the car (dim hvac, window motor, headlight motor etc..) but nothing to the engine except oil change.
The part 568 in the diagram is intact on the back
The part 568 in the diagram is intact on the back
To the OP, just because it appears "intact", does not mean the locking tabs are not broken inside. You can see them from the TB opening, but the manifold needs to be removed, and use a flashlight.
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Thanks I will double check, manifold is currently out of the car and went through it with a microscope. nothing wrong there.
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The spring retainer looks "cocked/angled" to me. I would remove the spring and inspect everything. If you can pressurize the cylinder (via air into the spark plug) you can remove it without removing the head. Not sure if you have enough room to do that. If you need more info on this send me an email with your phine number and we can discuss. Sam
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Thanks everyone for the advice
UPDATE: took the heads of and found #7 had a rubber piece little bigger than a quarter. thank god it wasn't metal/hard piece. didn't damage valves or pistons. now just need to replace gaskets, plugs and wires, coolant and be done with it.
Q: where is the cheapest/quickest place to get OEM head bolts? I didn't know they are TTY and can't be reused.
Thanks everyone
UPDATE: took the heads of and found #7 had a rubber piece little bigger than a quarter. thank god it wasn't metal/hard piece. didn't damage valves or pistons. now just need to replace gaskets, plugs and wires, coolant and be done with it.
Q: where is the cheapest/quickest place to get OEM head bolts? I didn't know they are TTY and can't be reused.
Thanks everyone
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
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Thanks everyone for the advice
UPDATE: took the heads of and found #7 had a rubber piece little bigger than a quarter. thank god it wasn't metal/hard piece. didn't damage valves or pistons. now just need to replace gaskets, plugs and wires, coolant and be done with it.
Q: where is the cheapest/quickest place to get OEM head bolts? I didn't know they are TTY and can't be reused.
Thanks everyone
UPDATE: took the heads of and found #7 had a rubber piece little bigger than a quarter. thank god it wasn't metal/hard piece. didn't damage valves or pistons. now just need to replace gaskets, plugs and wires, coolant and be done with it.
Q: where is the cheapest/quickest place to get OEM head bolts? I didn't know they are TTY and can't be reused.
Thanks everyone
a. Get them quickly through a variety of vendors/sources.
b. Re-use them should the need ever arise.
Just be sure to use thread lube as recommended (not just plain anti-seize) before torquing.
HTH
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Thanks everyone for the advice
UPDATE: took the heads of and found #7 had a rubber piece little bigger than a quarter. thank god it wasn't metal/hard piece. didn't damage valves or pistons. now just need to replace gaskets, plugs and wires, coolant and be done with it.
Q: where is the cheapest/quickest place to get OEM head bolts? I didn't know they are TTY and can't be reused.
Thanks everyone
UPDATE: took the heads of and found #7 had a rubber piece little bigger than a quarter. thank god it wasn't metal/hard piece. didn't damage valves or pistons. now just need to replace gaskets, plugs and wires, coolant and be done with it.
Q: where is the cheapest/quickest place to get OEM head bolts? I didn't know they are TTY and can't be reused.
Thanks everyone
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I am almost certain it was the old brittle coupler. i was thinking about when the noise happened. it was right after a WOT application where the TB would open enough to allow such a piece to pass through and of course the vacuum sucking the rubber in.
I have been using the search function and everyone highly recommends ARP but I just don't have the budget for it right now. Vette is my DD and Im tired of riding my bike to work
I have been using the search function and everyone highly recommends ARP but I just don't have the budget for it right now. Vette is my DD and Im tired of riding my bike to work