Hey guys, i had a Q, would changing the valve springs help my engine smoothen out? and do i need to take the heads off to change springs properly?? THANKS!!!!
If the valve springs are very weask, and are allowing the valves to be partially held open from carbon buildup, then idle quality will suffer from the old sacked out springs, so will upper rpm performance. If the guides have leaked enough oil down them, and the springs are weak enough, the valve(s) can stay open, from the carbon buildup binding the valve stems into the guides with enough tension to overcome the weak valve spring pressures. If you decide to pull the springs, test 'em, but as long as you are that far, new springs aren't that expensive. You would also benefit from moving every valve up and down through its guide, to make sure it is free and not binding. Binding and sticking would require a head rebuild and whatever parts would be needed to make the heads work correctly. I just had a friend go through 4 sticking intake valves from poor machine work, on his stock 1969 DZ 302 Z28 Camaro engine, and his main issue that started it all was idle quality.
Al, Give a little more detail on the engine. Is it stock, mild build? If it is running rough, why are you attributing this to the springs? Just a few questions to your question. One thing, I would NOT recomend trying to change valve springs while they are on the car. Not saying it can't be done but the chances of a minor mishap like a valve dropping into the cylinder are high. Boy would that P you off!
first of all thanks for the replies, right now all i want is a stock motor. it is a 72 2v 350. it does idle kinda of bad. and i figured that a stock motor with maybe stock valve might need new one to help it run better. i also think the carb needs to be tuned. can anyone tell me how the needles are to be adjusted? THANKS GUYS!!!!:grin:
If I was in your position, I would start with a simple inspection.....do a comrpession test and compare cylinder pressures, both dry and wet. I would serious start with the simpler things though, since they will fail long before a valve spring. New plugs and wires...cap and rotor. Overhaul the carb, and inspect it for dirt and debris, change the fuel filter. If you don't know how, you can either take it off and take it to a good shop, or chance it and go to the library and get a manual for that model, and take some time to do it yourself. if the car has a "dead miss" then I would be checking the igntion and compression first. If it just runs rough the ignition and the carb first. It never hurts to check compression though....and it costs nothing!
well i just got a new carb a few months ago. not to sure how to adjust it properly though. any tips?? it is in need of a tune up. and i plane on getting a HEI soon, so i guess i should just wait till i do that and see how it runs. but i really need help w/ the carb. i'll adjust the points today. its just a pain. THANKS!!!
