The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1935-36 207 engine valve spring push rod issues

Been helping a 90 year friend with a 35 chevy truck. I am not the first guy in this engine, many years ago he had head rebuild and I would say they used wrong valve springs way to heavy. Can't depress them with a screw driver way to tight. I would like to put it back to stock need replacement springs new or used and some push rods as well. anyone that could help point me in the right direction would be much appreciated.

May not matter but engine size might help.

not sure I can post pictures I am not good with puter. Head cast code A 5 1 con 9 GM 837981 with 4 under that.
Block casting GM K 3 8 836010-3
maybe you can help ID engine size or tell me what to look for. Thanks

You have a 1936 206.8 cu. in. (207) head and block. It is the replacement engine for the original 1935 engine. They share a lot of parts, but it is a one year block and head. Your oil pump, water pump and distributor are all 1936 ONLY, the rest of the engine parts are the same as 1935.

Are you sure it's a 1935 Truck?

What's the engine serial number (stamped on the pad next to the distributor)?

Valve spring pressure will be about 45 pounds closed and 100 pounds open. Might take a really big screwdriver or pry bar to flex the spring when it's under tension.

Mike B

Thanks mike B for the info I will try to get serial # next time I am there. I will have to move this over to engine shop for more help.

Guys I posted about a year ago on bent push rods. Went on parts wanted and posted question and engine head casting # Mike B. Id the engine and head as 35-36 207.
Helping a 90 year old friend get this truck running. Had it running last fall after three starts with truck moving under it own power, 4th day started and died.
saw the side cover moving in and out.
Pulled the head and side cover found some bent push rods, I can hardly push valves down with a screw driver.
The owner had the head rebuilt some years ago, I think the springs they used are way to heavy.
I would like to clean up the head replace springs back to stock and salvage straighten push rods may need some replacement as well.
I will have to go back to where truck is to get serial # off engine may be some time till that happens.
Pulled fuel tank out and having it cleaned and sealed so will have fresh gas when time comes for restarting.
Best place to get gasket set? In the past I have used Olson. Thanks for any info

Another source for old gaskets is Gasket City in Hamilton, Ontario. They have many thousands in stock.

It's much more likely that the valve guides have gotten gummed up with varnish from stale gasoline, rather than too-stiff springs. That usually happens after the initial startup, once the stale gas gets to the valve guides. The gas tank should have been cleaned thoroughly before any attempt at starting was done. If original pushrods can't be sourced, it's possible to fabricate new ones from thick wall seamless tubing, with the ends of the bent rods pressed into the tubes. It won't look original, but someone would have to pull a valve cover off to see what's been done. It's possible to straighten a bent pushrod, but I doubt if it would ever be as rigid as it was originally. Tubular pushrods are used in high RPM racing engines, and Comp Cams used to sell a kit to custom engine builders who could cut the tubing to the right length and press one end into place. I used to do that with the MOPAR pull truck engines I built. Now you'll need to remove all the valves, polish the stems, and ream any residue out of the guides.
Jerry

Moved from the Swap Meet to The Engine Shop per "oldiron29's comment above.

Very sure folks will be able to help answer your questions.

Thanks Gdads51 for getting me all together.

oldiron29 Before you take that 207 head off you might try starting fluid on those guides to maybe free them up. Bent push rods of course can mean bent valves.Washing oil off of things with starting fluid could cause you some trouble,just oil it up. Also if springs were too stiff would have hurt the cam lobes.

Gary Wallace has a ton of parts for the 207 look up his name for number.

Here's Gary Wallaces's website: http://www.earlychevyparts.com/

Cheers, Dean