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A peek under the valve covers, everything look ok?

Started by russg, February 19, 2010, 03:44:12 PM

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russg

February 19, 2010, 03:44:12 PM
Changed out my crappy old valve covers for some new chrome "Direct Connection" covers and since the top end was exposed thought I would let the experts let me know what they think of condition based on what can be seen anyway. 
Anything look out of sorts? 
I did notice some moisture droplets in the oil but I think it's just from condensation from the covers as this car is stored outside and only ran it enough to pull it in the garage.
Thanks as always for the wealth of knowledge I get from this site and it's members









73 Charger SE, 383, Headman headers, Holley 670 SA, Flowmaster Super 44's

RD

#1
February 19, 2010, 05:59:00 PM
whats with the water/coolant maybe?  your oil is looking a tad on the milky side if you ask me AND ALL THAT RUST!!!  that would seriously worry me. when was the last rebuild?  is it idling rough? check compression on each cylinder would be my next step.
67 Plymouth Barracuda, 69 Plymouth Barracuda, 73 Charger SE, 75 D100, 80 Sno-Commander

62 Max

#2
February 19, 2010, 06:10:24 PM
Quote from: RD on February 19, 2010, 05:59:00 PM
whats with the water/coolant maybe?  your oil is looking a tad on the milky side if you ask me AND ALL THAT RUST!!!  that would seriously worry me. when was the last rebuild?  is it idling rough? check compression on each cylinder would be my next step.

What rust are you referring to? If you are talking about the valve springs,that's red oxide paint.

RD

#3
February 19, 2010, 06:20:53 PM
Quote from: 62 Max on February 19, 2010, 06:10:24 PM
Quote from: RD on February 19, 2010, 05:59:00 PM
whats with the water/coolant maybe?  your oil is looking a tad on the milky side if you ask me AND ALL THAT RUST!!!  that would seriously worry me. when was the last rebuild?  is it idling rough? check compression on each cylinder would be my next step.

What rust are you referring to? If you are talking about the valve springs,that's red oxide paint.

look at the retainers.. and there are reddish hues on the heads themselves (view last pic, below casting bump)
67 Plymouth Barracuda, 69 Plymouth Barracuda, 73 Charger SE, 75 D100, 80 Sno-Commander

R2

#4
February 19, 2010, 06:41:20 PM
Oil looks OLD.....change it........looks fairly "rusty" to me as well......hmmmmmmm :scratchchin:

TylerCharger69

#5
February 19, 2010, 07:56:39 PM
Looks like the oil is on the milky side....and the oil sludge build up on the rocker arms and shaft.  It does appear as if the car does a lot of sitting or has in the past.  It's nothing to remove the rocker shafts and clean them up a bit.  But as I stated...the oil in the rocker arms does look kind of milky to me.  i'd make sure you aren't leaking coolant internally.  :Twocents:

russg

#6
February 20, 2010, 02:00:13 AM
Winter has been been brutal here in the midwest so have been able to drive much at all, it's sits outside under a cover for weeks at a time without being driven.  The springs in person all have a red colored paint on them, they don't really look rusty at all to see them up close.  Oil changed late Summer sometime but probably less than a 1000 miles on it.   I will be changing it soon.  Coolant level hasn't changed at all in months of driving.  Car runs strong, no ticking or any other wierd noises.
73 Charger SE, 383, Headman headers, Holley 670 SA, Flowmaster Super 44's

Musicman

#7
February 20, 2010, 08:10:37 AM
It would be nice to get the rocker assemblies off and throw them in the parts washer, but other than that everything looks pretty normal... just aged. Have you tried lifting the covers with the engine running to see if everything is getting oiled well enough in there?

firefighter3931

#8
February 20, 2010, 08:24:54 AM
The slight amount of water in the oil is most likely condensation.....change the oil and run as is  :Twocents:



Ron
68 Charger R/T "Black Pig" Street/Strip bruiser, 70 Charger R/T 440-6bbl Cruiser. Firecore ignition  authorized dealer ; contact me with your needs

six-tee-nine

#9
February 20, 2010, 10:08:38 AM
The last picture shows clearly water in the oil but since it's not milky at all imo it's just condens from short trips or standing for a longer period.
If you have the oil in there for a long period, change it. Otherwise (if the weather let's you) take her out for a good drive get the engine warm enough to get rid of the water......
Further on i'd guess you're just fine.....
Greetings from Belgium, the beer country

NOS is nice, turbo's are neat, but when it comes to Mopars, there's no need to cheat...

ACUDANUT

#10
February 20, 2010, 10:29:20 AM
 I use Sea Foam in cars that don't get driven alot.  It takes Condensation/water out of the oil and I don't have to change the oil as often.

russg

#11
February 20, 2010, 10:44:16 AM
SeaFoam in the oil is ok?
73 Charger SE, 383, Headman headers, Holley 670 SA, Flowmaster Super 44's

ACUDANUT

#12
February 20, 2010, 10:46:29 AM
 Yes, thats what is made for. Go look at a can.

Charger RT

#13
February 20, 2010, 11:00:28 AM
to me it looks like the engine has rust on some of the painted brackets like its either original or an older restoration and the aluminum intake doesn't shine makes me think the car is maybe a daily driver or a fun week end car and set up like one just like mine. (for weekend fun) It is not over restored. So I say it all looks fine. If it runs good and doesn't smoke just change the oil before your first spring blast and have fun.  :2thumbs:
Tim

TylerCharger69

#14
February 20, 2010, 02:52:01 PM
i dunno....if you look in the rocker arms where the oil is pooled in the ends of them....the oil looks milky to me....especially if there is only 1000 miles since last oil change.   Picture number 5 indicates a condensation issue which is no big deal...but if you look at picture number 2....i plainly see chocolate milk in there. :Twocents:

ACUDANUT

#15
February 20, 2010, 05:53:29 PM
 "aluminum intake doesn't shine makes me think the car is maybe a daily driver"  :smilielol:
Welcome to the mid-west. Humidity kills the shine.

THE STIG

#16
February 24, 2010, 02:40:39 AM
Not to change the subject, but was'nt that car listed on eBay a few months back? 73 SE with a 383 if I remember correctly.
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