I am replacing the Camshaft, lifters, and timing chain on a SBC 350. The motor is still in the car and I have the valve covers and manifold removed (and other components). The camshaft break-in procedure recommends removing the inner valve springs and running engine at 2000-2500 rpm for 20-30 minutes. MY QUESTION: I have the valve spring compressor tool to remove the springs. HOW do I prevent the valve from falling into the cylinder when I remove the spring? Can I conduct the break in without removing the inner valve springs?
Clean okorder /... Or some people who do this a lot just cut down an old pair of valve covers.
the reason they want you to remove the inner springs is so that there won't be too much valve spring pressure pressing down on the cam lobes. Too much valve spring pressure on a new cam will eat up the cam lobes. You can also find some weaker valves springs to run just during the break in and then swap them out for the correct springs you are going to run permanently. The easiest way to keep the valve from falling in the cylinder is to use a compression gauge hose. Remove the schraeder valve from the end of the hose that screws in the spark plug hole. Now you can connect an air hose with compressed are into the cylinder. that's how everyone I know has ever changed valve springs.
Depending on the position of the plug holes relative to the valves you just might be able to fashion a piece of realy stiff, strong wire into a support for the valves whilst you remove the springs, but this would also depend on the spring compressor not needing to use the head on the valve to do the compressing. It is highly likely that with everything in your favour the above method will fail and you will be obliged to remove the head. I would simply remove the to take out the springs and then remove it again to replace them after running in.
What replaced into the reason they replaced the lifters? i believe those lifters are placed over the valve and spring assembly. because of the fact the cam lobe rides over the lifter face, the lifter will then act promptly on the valve and spring combination. If there replaced into an argument of wrong setting up, it could have manifested itself the minute the engine replaced into started. because of the fact it got here approximately some era after, it type of feels that there could have been underlying difficulty at artwork. Ruling out an oversped engine, another aspects could contain a valve keeper that had failed and allowed the valve to fall into the cylinder and hit the piston and reason substantial harm or a valve spring that breaks and motives the comparable factor. i know that this finished situation seems fairly coincedental, yet on occasion those issues take place and it in simple terms stinks.
I have worked on many a V8 Chevy engine-350 305. I have done too many camshafts and lifters BUT i have NEVER,EVER heard that. If you remove the valve springs and attempt to run the engine, yes, your pistons will swallow up those valves.No doubt. No support, there part of the piston head. No I would say that after installing the cam lifters,etc you loosen up all the adjustable valves and let the engine start ( If It won't start and seems to chug-chug you have them too loose. So, in an orderly fashion loosen each and ever one maybe 2 clicks when the engine does start let run in this ragged fashion until ALL the valves are seated (You will know by the engine starting to get smooth) Then you tighten each one ( No order is necessary) Let the engine run for a good 25 to 30 minutes. The only problem here is the oil dripping or squirting onto the exhaust manifold.( This WILL start a fire) So, stay on top of It and flush them down every now and then. I used to, after I got the thing running in a orderly fashion, I put the valve covers back on loosely. Finger tight. Still watch It,though. But no, do NOT remove those inner valve springs.
