Well.........., took the vette into the shop for a strange noise and rough idle. Turns out the #5 cylinder, exhaust valve, has a completely sheared valve stem below the keeper. Valve spring is in tack. Keeper shows more wear on one piece than the other. The strange ( and lucky ) part of the situation is the valve DID NOT fall into the cylinder causing serious damage. why, I am not sure yet. I'm hoping removal of the head, and machine shop diagnosis, can answer the question - WHY? Anyone ever have this happen? Your opinions are welcome!

Hinz73

PS - 350 bored, mild cam and head work 40K ago.

It's possible the retainers and keepers have a different angle. I have run into this before after buying new stuff. Don't know if that's what happened in your case, but it would be a good idea to check ALL of the retainers, keepers and valves while you have it down. Sometimes you get a retainer that wasn't hardened properly,or just a fluke wear deal. I have learned to get all the valve related parts from the same mfg. Good luck!!! Hope you get it back on the road soon !! The valve is probably bent enough to keep it from falling into the chamber. You are one lucky feller!!!

|UPDATED|11/12/2004 10:34:09 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Thanks, good point.

It's funny, I feel lucky, in an unlucky sort of way. If that makes any sense.

Hinz73