Do I Need to Replace My Valves?!?!
#1
Advanced
Thread Starter
Do I Need to Replace My Valves?!?!
So we were in the process of replacing the valve springs on my ‘03 Z. Once we got the rockers off this is what I found.
Pretty severe looking wear to the tips of the valves where the rockers ride. All of the valves are showing similar wear. Some worse than others. My friend whose a master level professional technician, is STRONGLY recommending that I replace the valves. I was definitely not expecting anything like this because the car only has 31,xxx miles. I really don’t want to pull the heads but certainly will if necessary. Opinions from the group as always are much appreciated!!
Thanks!!
Pretty severe looking wear to the tips of the valves where the rockers ride. All of the valves are showing similar wear. Some worse than others. My friend whose a master level professional technician, is STRONGLY recommending that I replace the valves. I was definitely not expecting anything like this because the car only has 31,xxx miles. I really don’t want to pull the heads but certainly will if necessary. Opinions from the group as always are much appreciated!!
Thanks!!
#2
Team Owner
Hard to tell how bad they are from the photo because photos tend to make things look worse than they are. Not sure if you could use lash caps or if they would even fit. You may need to shim the rockers and increase pushrod length with lash caps. As I recall, valves are 8mm diameter but don't trust my feeble memory >>>> 8mm Lash Caps
Other issue is that I'm not sure the LS6 valve are still available from GM, which means heavier valves and stronger springs to control them at the higher LS6 RPM capability.
Other issue is that I'm not sure the LS6 valve are still available from GM, which means heavier valves and stronger springs to control them at the higher LS6 RPM capability.
Last edited by vettenuts; 03-12-2018 at 08:26 AM.
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ArmchairArchitect (03-12-2018)
#5
Advanced
Thread Starter
My guess as to what caused it is too many start ups after the car had been sitting for extended periods of time. Considering it’s an ‘03 with only 31,xxx miles it has spent a lot of its 15 years sitting around. After sitting awhile the valve train dries out. Then maybe on start up the car is not even driven or allowed to warm up properly. Wear over time. PITA now!
#6
Burning Brakes
That's one of the biggest reasons to go to a full roller rocker..
I know that the stock ones work fine... But there are advantages to
a full roller (with roller tip too)..
I know that the stock ones work fine... But there are advantages to
a full roller (with roller tip too)..
#7
Team Owner
Don't think the hardened surface thickness is enough to allow this.
A photo will really magnify things so not sure how bad they are. I took pictures of an issue I had with a cam several years ago. The lobes definitely had some morkes on them but when I took the photos they looked like they were totally destroyed and the surface of the moon.
A photo will really magnify things so not sure how bad they are. I took pictures of an issue I had with a cam several years ago. The lobes definitely had some morkes on them but when I took the photos they looked like they were totally destroyed and the surface of the moon.
#8
Pro
Thats what happens when the roller rockers flex from bent pushrods/improper clearance/loose roller rockers/defective valve guides. Check your pushrods and make sure they are all straight, also check the geometry of each. You do that by taking off the rockers and applying a dye to the tip and then turn over the motor by hand and that will show you the wear pattern. if it is not centered you may need new rockers and/or pushrods
Have you checked the roller tip for excessive wear? Replacing the valves does not fix the underlying problem. Valve stems usually have wear its an abused part of the valvetrain.
Take a look at this article.
http://www.hotrod.com/articles/ctrp-...rain-geometry/
Have you checked the roller tip for excessive wear? Replacing the valves does not fix the underlying problem. Valve stems usually have wear its an abused part of the valvetrain.
Take a look at this article.
http://www.hotrod.com/articles/ctrp-...rain-geometry/
Last edited by midnight01; 03-13-2018 at 12:05 PM.
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ArmchairArchitect (03-13-2018)
#9
Burning Brakes
Thats what happens when the roller rockers flex from bent pushrods/improper clearance/loose roller rockers/defective valve guides. Check your pushrods and make sure they are all straight, also check the geometry of each. You do that by taking off the rockers and applying a dye to the tip and then turn over the motor by hand and that will show you the wear pattern. if it is not centered you may need new rockers and/or pushrods
Have you checked the roller tip for excessive wear? Replacing the valves does not fix the underlying problem. Valve stems usually have wear its an abused part of the valvetrain.
Take a look at this article.
http://www.hotrod.com/articles/ctrp-...rain-geometry/
Have you checked the roller tip for excessive wear? Replacing the valves does not fix the underlying problem. Valve stems usually have wear its an abused part of the valvetrain.
Take a look at this article.
http://www.hotrod.com/articles/ctrp-...rain-geometry/
Factory LS rocker arms do NOT have a roller tip... I suggested going
to a roller tip (&fulcrum) rocker arm to avoid this issue..
#10
Pro
#11
Your friend is giving you good advice. That's 16 wear surfaces creating metal shavings, not to mention if it's causing excessive wear on the 16 rockers. It's the highest PSI pressure in the motor, and the surfaces are too rough for the oil film to protect, sorry to say.
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ArmchairArchitect (03-18-2018)
#12
Advanced
Thread Starter
Thanks Apex. That’s an explanation my pea brain can understand. Looks like I’ll be pulling the heads this weekend. I’m a little intimidated but will have some help and will soldier through. I really wasn’t planning to do many mods to the motor but now that I’m gonna be in there anyway.....
#13
Melting Slicks
With that level of wear -- too much to ignore, but not beyond hope -- why not try the lash caps first? Not terribly cheap, since it would seem likely you will need new push rods too, but significantly less work and time.