Dan's Long Annoying Engine Problem Thread

[FLG]

mike if the timing chain jumped a tooth it the valves might start to open too early in the cycle and the piston never gets to TDC. I assume this will effect compression some. But when i did my comp check with the loose chain they were around 110-120 possibly one 105 cant remember. Never checked it after i replaced the chain but you need to remember this engine was NOT built as a high compression unit. I ran the numbers by ron and he said they were fine. Couple the fact that its low comression, and the engine is tired...those numbers seem about right maybe the 100psi cylinders are a tad on the low side. Recheck those cylinders and put 1-2 tablespoons full of oil in there. If the compression goes up then its the rings, stays the same then its the valves. Also remember do to the test with your foot on the gas pedal at WOT, choke fully open. I just pulled the line to my fuel pump off so i dont have gas filling up the cylinders.

[bordin34]

I did it under Wot it is really going to be fun to re-install all the plugs, get it to run for 5 miutes, take then out without getting burnt by the headers, manage to get oil into the cylinders through a little hole when I can barely touch the hole with my fingers, get the comp gauge back onto the threads, clean the plugs, then reinstall them. I am really thinking of getting rid of the headers.

[mikepmcs]

Frank, thanks for the expla, makes sense and that's what I was kinda thinking.

Dan, turkey baster with some rubber line attached.

[FLG]

Do it cold. Wont make a big difference. You just want to know if its valves or rings.  Also have you tried this with exhaust manifolds on? with it HOT you cant come close to a plug, cold and its just a pain in the a$$. I did mine cold.

[bordin34]

I will do it cold then. I got my hand stuck between the heads,headers, and studs three times while doing the compression test. When I e-mailed the previous owner when this initially happened around December this is what he said,
"The engine was indeed rebuilt by Eckberg Motor Rebuilding of Wyoming Michigan for a total of $4095.47, invoice # 0369 on 1/5/04. I would be more than happy to fax you a copy of the invoice. In the 3 years after the rebuild, I never needed to adjust the carb or timing. Oil changes when due and I changed the plugs once, was all the maint needed."
I think I may give a call to Eckberg Motor Rebuilding.

[bordin34]

For the oil, is WD-40 Ok or should I use motor oil.

[FLG]

Use motor oil. I dont thin WD40 will have the proper viscosity to hold compression better if the rings are a little worn

[bordin34]

I used 5w-30 motor oil with the engine cold and this is what I got.
1-118psi        2-118psi
3-130psi        4-110psi
5-125psi        6-114psi
7-130psi        8-120psi

[bordin34]

I was just putting the plug wires back on and fixing one when I read the box. It said they have between 3000-7000ohm per foot resistance, I am ordering new wires soon.

[FLG]

So your rings are a little worn. Common for an older engine, but nothing thats going to make the car run like crap. I went with taylor wires, and have had no problems...wires look good and work great.

[bordin34]

Ok, I think I will buy a timing chain, valve guide seals, and wires and see if that helps any. What size seals do I need?

[71ChallengeHer]

Dan, I run 10w-40 in the Chally 

[FLG]

Should be able to pick up the set for intake and exhaust at rockauto.com

Get a timing chain from summit, advance the cam 3-4 degrees (forgot what i did mine, but it was either 3 or 4)

Jackie,

The oil was to put into the cylinders to see if it was the rings or the valves that werent sealing up good.

[bordin34]

Thanks, I found everything I need my only question as of right now is when it says set does that mean enough for one head or both?

[FLG]

Buy the fel-pro int and exh set. Comes with 16 seals, 8 intake and 8 exhaust....4 intake seals, and 4 exhaust seals per head. Your also going to need the attachment to screw into the spark plug hole and an air compressor. Fill the cylinder up with compressed air so you dont drop the valve into the cylinder.

[bordin34]

Thanks, I will probably order everything tomorrow.

[FLG]

OK.

Dont forget the gasket set for when your doing the timing chain. Summit sells a complete set so you wont need anything else. Also if your upper and lower rad hoses need replacement nows the time to do it. And of course any belts that need replacement.

[71ChallengeHer]

Thanks Frank, I wondered what Dan was doing.

[mikepmcs]

Your also going to need the attachment to screw into the spark plug hole and an air compressor. Fill the cylinder up with compressed air so you dont drop the valve into the cylinder.

Dan
you can also use rope to fill up the cylinder to keep the valve from dropping.  Cheaper than a compressor and attachment if coinage is an issue.

[tatrick2me]

What you have is a tired worn out engine. Why don't you go ahead and rebuild it and get it over with? It just don't cost that much to do a basic rebuild to a good engine.

[bordin34]

Right now I am low on funds and would like to get this engine running decent until I can afford to rebuild and engine. If I do rebuild an engine though, it would be a 383.

[bordin34]

My newest questions are would bad valve guide seals cause backfiring and poor performance. Would my compression test rule out burnt or bent valves?

[bordin34]

Here is an update, I cleaned and reinstalled the spark plugs. The car idles nice and smooth and drives great. I think that since there was no oil on them they will run good until fouled by the bad guide seals. I will be ordering seals, brakes, and wires tonight.

[bordin34]

All the parts came and I started replacing the seals today. So far I have taken the rocker arm shaft off the driver side and am waiting for the rtv to seal for my air adapter.

[bordin34]

I just looked at the Master Cylinder I bought and it doesn't have a piston retainer screw. Will it be OK to take it off my old one and put it in this one.