OK folks, I have been trying and failing to find the issue with my valve train for a while, finally took it to a mustang specialist here, most mechanics here only know if the car computer tells them what is wrong, he tells me that "there is a valve stem that has too much wear from the rocker, so the rocker's rails hit the valve spring dish".

My question is firstly I assume this is not going to be a quick fix we are talking taking the heads off. So can I live with this? or is this a time bomb that will destroy the engine if I leave it?. The car is just a cruiser with no major engine upgrades, electronic ignition and alu. intake manifold with 4100 autolite.

If I get it done is it worth getting new heads, or just get the valve(s) changed? Also what should I get done at the same time, i.e. new cam etc.

Cheers

Paddy

 

No, if what he said is accurate you need to fix it right away or you could suck the valve and destroy the engine. It needs to be fixed soon. As far as what other things to do it is really up to you. Ask yourself some questions like what do you want to do, build a drag car or a cruiser? Factory type of restoration or a resto mod? The sky is the limit but to me it would not make sense to put new heads and cam on a worn out bottom end. If all you want is to fix the issue any good machine shop can rebuild the heads for a good price.

 

If the worn valve is indicative of the overall engine wear (rings, cylinder walls, bearings), you will most likely be facing a complete overhaul. Re-working heads and re-installing them on a worn bottom end will produce a smokey oil consuming mess. Simply replacing the valves is probably not an option. As a minimum, you are looking at installing hardened seats in the heads, replacing the valve guides, and some if not all valves. Done correctly, the valve springs should be replaced, also. Just a suggestion, and you would have to ask your technician about this, but you might be able to install a set of lash caps on the valves and put off the head work awhile. I've not personally done this - just something that popped into my noggin a moment ago.
Best,
Al

 

Thanks 69thunder, I feared as much. I just want a car which I can autotrack for fun a few times and maybe across continental run or two, but just a cruiser, I like handling more than straight line power. It was more a case as if I take the heads off what else should I do now which will be cheaper rather than be a separate job later on.

Paddy

 

thanks al I will talk to the guy, I fear the damage was done by hamfisted home mechanics!!