Do it yourself valve spring replacement?

[Norm Clemmer]

I pulled out from a stop sign driving home yesterday. Not in a hurry, Not on the gas or anything...when I shifted from 1st to 2nd at about 2500 rpm my engine went bang. There was a very loud tapping, engine misfiring, bad power, etc. I was only about four miles from home and limped there.

The oil pressure, oil temperature and water temperature remained normal but there was a very loud tapping.

I took off the valve cover this morning on number seven piston a cap off the top valve spring is missing. It looks like the cap is pushed down into the spring. Everything is clean under the valve cover and the oil is clean on the dip stick. I removed the spark plug and there is no damage to it. I am thinking my piston is OK?

It appears that it is just the spring. Is this something that is easy to replace yourself?


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/nclemmer/photo-104.jpg

[carboman]

Not a hard job, you just need a valve spring compressor. A basic one isn't expensive. I have one (KD Tools 2078) if you want to borrow it. give me a ring 215-817-5679. You need to keep the valve pushed up which can be done by feeding nylon rope into the cylinder and than hand craking the motor until the piston compressed the rope and holds the valve in place.

[Rick and Arleen Ball]

Norm,
The easiest way to keep the valve in place is to fill the cylinder with air. You can pick up a fitting at most reputable auto parts stores. NAPA most likely can help you out. Might not be a bad idea to spend the day replacing all the springs while you're at it if you are going to run the Vette hard.

[Dennis Trayes]

Norm, I have everything you need. Just did my Camaro.

[Norm Clemmer]

Got the valve spring off. It is broken at the very top of the spring. I can't find any evidence of the retainer clip...I shot air in thru the spark plug hole and can hear the air going out thru the headers...I am thinking I have to have a bent valve?

I know as a pilot if you get into trouble you climb, communicate, confess and comply. At this point I think I am in the same shape as a back yard repairman and should have my car towed to ECS or Phoenix Performance and have it fixed properly. I am thinking that all of the springs should be replaced? Any other advice?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/nclemmer/photo-105.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/nclemmer/photo-106.jpg

[Rick and Arleen Ball]

Good idea taking it to Phoenix for repair. Maybe a Good aftermarket set of springs for those spirited runs and high Rev shifts.
Good luck with it Norm.
Rick

[tri power]

Norm, Try to rotate the valve , if it does not turn in a smooth rotation the valve is bent. The head will have to br removed to replace the valve, poss, the valve hit the piston, not good! Fran

[carboman]

Probably a good idea to replace all the springs and inspect the valves

[Glennm27]

.............. At this point I think I am in the same shape as a back yard repairman and should have my car towed to ECS or Phoenix Performance and have it fixed properly. I am thinking that all of the springs should be replaced? Any other advice?




THAT is what I would do and have done.

[TheKomoman]

Agreed all around there. If you're feeling like the job is over your head then it is, confidence when you're messing with stuff like that is everything. I'd have whoever it is you choose (both are great shops and I've used both, Phoenix is just a lot closer for me these days) do all the springs. Smoke & fire and all that and you don't want either one coming out of your tail pipe!

[Norm Clemmer]

ECS it is. Spoke with Chris this morning. Hopefully they can find someone who can haul it over there.

[carboman]

ECS it is. Spoke with Chris this morning. Hopefully they can find someone who can haul it over there.

Ahhhhhhhhhh Norm, aren't you in the moving business :D

[Glennm27]

Big Red is going to Phoenix Performance later today and it will be there for a few days. Why not head there and keep Red company.. ;)

Phoenixville is MUCH closer for you.

Kurt is there with his whole crew.
610.482.0145

[TheKomoman]

Big Red is going to Phoenix Performance later today and it will be there for a few days. Why not head there and keep Red company.. ;)

Phoenixville is MUCH closer for you.

Kurt is there with his whole crew.
610.482.0145

OK that's funny Glenn, cause Val will be taking our Z06 over to Kurt this afternoon for him to work on tomorrow, so they'll be sharing a paddock yet again. Getting spindle ducts, tow hooks, tie-rod end heat shields, and the various other checks done to have it ready for VIR. Having anything fun done to yours?

[Glennm27]

OK that's funny Glenn, cause Val will be taking our Z06 over to Kurt this afternoon for him to work on tomorrow, so they'll be sharing a paddock yet again. Getting spindle ducts, tow hooks, tie-rod end heat shields, and the various other checks done to have it ready for VIR. Having anything fun done to yours?

Sway bars (BIG fat ones), all new end links, shocks, rear and trans fluid flush and refills and VIR check.

Won't be getting over there until about 600pm. Leaving the car for a couple days.

[TheKomoman]

Sway bars (BIG fat ones), all new end links, shocks, rear and trans fluid flush and refills and VIR check.

Won't be getting over there until about 600pm. Leaving the car for a couple days.

Nice, look forward to the VIR debut of the new parts. :cool:

[Bob Weiss]

Norm,

That really stinks.

New Springs all the way. Maybe Dual springs to keep you from sucking a valve if you break a main spring in the future. Need to clean the oiling system and engine and find those valve keepers. I would put on all new retainers and keepers. Have the one piston checked if the valve is not bent. If it is bent you will be pulling head(s).

By the way-air could leak out the exhaust if the cam has that valve open. The spring that broke-is that intake or exhaust?

Have fun.

Bob

[Norm Clemmer]

OK that's funny Glenn, cause Val will be taking our Z06 over to Kurt this afternoon for him to work on tomorrow, so they'll be sharing a paddock yet again. Getting spindle ducts, tow hooks, tie-rod end heat shields, and the various other checks done to have it ready for VIR. Having anything fun done to yours?


I agree. Kurk and crew are excellent to deal with and Phoenix is closer. Their work is impressive but decided to get it back to ECS due to the fact that they are the ones who installed the cam and springs.

Your VIR talk is making me feel sick. I am starting to regret caving in and promising my wife I wouldn't race this year. Guess it shows who the real boss is. :) but I really did have a good time taking my wife of forty years to St. Lucia on our anniversary.

Norm

[TheKomoman]

I agree. Kurk and crew are excellent to deal with and Phoenix is closer. Their work is impressive but decided to get it back to ECS due to the fact that they are the ones who installed the cam and springs.

Your VIR talk is making me feel sick. I am starting to regret caving in and promising my wife I wouldn't race this year. Guess it shows who the real boss is. :) but I really did have a good time taking my wife of forty years to St. Lucia on our anniversary.

Norm

Just reminder her you're not racing, you're just driving the car REALLY fast!

Hmm... might not help ya there much. :p

You'll be missed at VIR for sure Norm. Good luck with your car, I'm sure Chris and the gang over there will take good care of it for ya.

[Glennm27]

You'll be missed at VIR for sure Norm.

I agree...

Wish you were going again. Last year was awesome.

[Norm Clemmer]

Norm,

That really stinks.

New Springs all the way. Maybe Dual springs to keep you from sucking a valve if you break a main spring in the future. Need to clean the oiling system and engine and find those valve keepers. I would put on all new retainers and keepers. Have the one piston checked if the valve is not bent. If it is bent you will be pulling head(s).

By the way-air could leak out the exhaust if the cam has that valve open. The spring that broke-is that intake or exhaust?

Have fun.

Bob


I am certain the exhaust valve is bent. I can't budge it. Chris thinks it could have pretzeled under there. The head is going to have to come off. He said they can replace the piston without pulling the motor. I am confident in their abilities.

[Norm Clemmer]

I agree...

Wish you were going again. Last year was awesome.

I'm going to miss you guys and the event. Next year neither rain, snow, work or a wife who worrys too much will be able to stop me. :)

[TheKomoman]

I'm going to miss you guys and the event. Next year neither rain, snow, work or a wife who worrys too much will be able to stop me. :)

Hey if you don't go next year can we borrow your car so Val & I don't need to buy another one to run in the same group? ;bl

[Glennm27]

I'm going to miss you guys and the event. Next year neither rain, snow, work or a wife who worrys too much will be able to stop me. :)

I am bookmarking this thread. I'll show it to you again in February when we're all signing up again for June 2012. ;)

[Bob Weiss]

Norm, I hope it didn't mess up the head too badly either. Make sure they find ALL the broken parts (Valve spring pieces, keepers etc) That can do much more damage than you already have.

Bob

[carboman]

Norm,

Perfect excuse to add some nice AFR heads while you're there :D

[Norm Clemmer]

I am bookmarking this thread. I'll show it to you again in February when we're all signing up again for June 2012. ;)

Thumbs up on that one.

[Norm Clemmer]

Norm,

Perfect excuse to add some nice AFR heads while you're there :D

I was thinking of a 427 block with forged pistons and 18 pounds of boost but that 40th wedding anniversary trip to St. Lucia put a major dent in the budget :)

[carboman]

I was thinking of a 427 block with forged pistons and 18 pounds of boost but that 40th wedding anniversary trip to St. Lucia put a major dent in the budget :)

Sounds like you have your priorities in order. If or more likely when you build a motor you might want to look at the LSX series with the extra bolts in the heads for supercharged applications. You can take that all the way to 454CI.

[Norm Clemmer]

Sounds like you have your priorities in order. If or more likely when you build a motor you might want to look at the LSX series with the extra bolts in the heads for supercharged applications. You can take that all the way to 454CI.


BTW, That trip to St. Lucia was as close as you can get to heaven without being dead.....

[carboman]

BTW, That trip to St. Lucia was as close as you can get to heaven without being dead.....

What resort did you go to?

[Glennm27]

BTW, That trip to St. Lucia was as close as you can get to heaven without being dead.....

Sounds like it was worth missing VIR for a year..... Congrats on 40 years. THAT is really awesome. ;bc

[Norm Clemmer]

What resort did you go to?

http://www.sandals.com/main/grande/gl-home.cfm

[carboman]

http://www.sandals.com/main/grande/gl-home.cfm

Thanks Norm. Looks like a great place. Did you stay in the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Suite I see they have :D

[Bob Weiss]

Norm, St Lucia is a great place, was there a few years ago. Stayed at La Toc (cunnard Resort). Les Piton mountains are cool too !~!~

Bob

[Norm Clemmer]

Norm, St Lucia is a great place, was there a few years ago. Stayed at La Toc (cunnard Resort). Les Piton mountains are cool too !~!~

Bob


And so was the Piton beer :) Did you take the boat trip to the fishing villiage at the base of the Pitons?

[Bob Weiss]

Norm, We took a catamaran (sp?) and went to the fishing village and did some swimming in the lagoon. We also had lunch in a mountain side open air restaurant. Really quite nice. While we were there playing golf at LaToc my brother in-law had a hole in one. WE had lots of fun and would go back.

[Norm Clemmer]

Doug from ECS picked her up today. I am hoping to have her back for the CCDV car show. I am hoping it is just a piston and a valve with no block damage.

[Mike Campbell]

Good luck Norm. I'm sure the ECS guys will fix you up. ;bt

[Norm Clemmer]

I got lucky. The valve did not damage the piston or the cylinder wall and they found the retainer clips. The only thing that is getting replaced is the head and all valve springs.

If I am very lucky it will be finished tomorrow and I'll be able to give it a bath on Friday night and take it to the Calvacade on Saturday. Glad I had ECS do the work on it. The entire blower assembly had to be removed to get the head off.

[jacques]

Glad that it all worked out Norm. We'll save you a spot at the Cavalacde. ;bl

[Glennm27]

I got lucky. The valve did not damage the piston or the cylinder wall and they found the retainer clips. The only thing that is getting replaced is the head and all valve springs.

If I am very lucky it will be finished tomorrow and I'll be able to give it a bath on Friday night and take it to the Calvacade on Saturday. Glad I had ECS do the work on it. The entire blower assembly had to be removed to get the head off.

In this case, there is still time to make it to VIR..... :p

We're headin down Saturday


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/nclemmer/VIR%20%20Norm%20Clemmer/zone2june-01607.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z0Xw3TFmp0

[Norm Clemmer]

In this case, there is still time to make it to VIR..... :p

We're headin down Saturday


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v163/nclemmer/VIR%20%20Norm%20Clemmer/zone2june-01607.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z0Xw3TFmp0

Your killing me :)

[carboman]

Norm,

There's no better way to break in some new parts and gaskets than flogging the heck out of the car. What could possibly go wrong :)

[Glennm27]

Norm,

There's no better way to break in some new parts and gaskets than flogging the heck out of the car. What could possibly go wrong :)

That's what I'm thinkin' too..... :)

[Norm Clemmer]

Doug and Chris at ECS got my Vette running again. They are going to drop it off at the Calvacade tomorrow about 9 am. I am sure I am going to have some cleaning to do because it was dirty before they got it. I won't win anything but am very glad to get my Vette back. These guys at ECS are great....

[TheKomoman]

That's what I'm thinkin' too..... :)

Motion carried!

Doug and Chris at ECS got my Vette running again. They are going to drop it off at the Calvacade tomorrow about 9 am. I am sure I am going to have some cleaning to do because it was dirty before they got it. I won't win anything but am very glad to get my Vette back. These guys at ECS are great....

Glad to hear your car is back up and running so soon Norm. All things considered, that went about as well as it could.

Enjoy the Cavalcade folks, we're Virginia-bound as well tomorrow.

[Glennm27]

Doug and Chris at ECS got my Vette running again. They are going to drop it off at the Calvacade tomorrow about 9 am. I am sure I am going to have some cleaning to do because it was dirty before they got it. I won't win anything but am very glad to get my Vette back. These guys at ECS are great....
I believe Doug is headed down to VIR with us, he could probably load your car right back up onto his trailer after the Cavalcade and take it down for you and you know how close the Danville Airport is to everything..... Just sayin.... :p