Topic: Down the 'as long as I'm in here' rabbit hole, rockers and springs
in Forum: C3 Engines
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I feel myself slipping down the rabbit hole and need some guidance from those who've been there.
I had the transmission out for a rebuild and thought, since I have the exhaust disconnected from the manifolds, maybe I should remove the manifolds, clean them up and replace the rusted hardware. Boom! Manifolds off, heat shielding removed and wow, look at all this room I have.
Here's where I need help. Since I have this access I figured I'd replace the valve seals which are probably original and must be in need of attention. As long as I'm in there, how about fresh valve springs? I've lost some spring in 40+ years, these must have too. To compound the problem, a friend is offering me a new set of comp-cam roller-tip, rocker arms (part# 1412-16) at half price. So, seals only, seals and springs, seals springs and rockers?
Having never done this before, I'm wondering which part replacements are a good idea and which are just inviting trouble?
New heads are out of the question right now and I'm really not in the mood to remove the existing ones with driving season on the door step. I'd really rather not remove the intake either so lifters and cam are staying put.
There's a tiny bit of smoke on start-up but all-in-all it's a good running motor.
The car is a 1975 L82 4-spd.
Who's for helping my push the stick forward and who's for pulling back?
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Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 914
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.
2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray
In case you weren't aware, you can change out all of the upper of train components without removing the heads.You can you can do this by screwing an air compressor fitting into each spark plug hole, one of the time, and this will keep the valve from dropping down in the head. I would certainly replace the valve springs and valve seals at this time and the roller rockers could wait till later if money is a concern.
1973 L-82 4 spd
You can do what you want but I can assure you that after 41 years of service your valve guides are shot. Your work will only be a band aid solution. Like my pappy used to say "Be the job big or small, do it right or not at all".
in Forum: C3 Engines
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