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#56490 02/13/2006 3:14 PM | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 72 Member | | Member Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 72 | Doing a valve job on this engine, is it mandatory or highly recommended to do the lower end also??? Engine was beginning to start a bit more difficult, so the previous owner yanked the head as he said the commpression on the front three cylinders had dropped to 80-85lbs. Comments please..........and yes I do need to put this back together as its apart now and has been for some time.
49' Chev, 3808 platform
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#56491 02/13/2006 3:49 PM | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | thadley baxter,
I'll be one of the first to dive into this can-o-worms. I would do only the valve job without hesitation. While doing the compression check, there is a method to indicate whether it is the valves causing the low reading, or the rings.
The previous owner probably didn't do this. Your question means you must have heard how a top end rebuild will exacerbate a weak lower end.
Some will say this is true..other will say BS. If your funds are limited and time is a factor, have the head rebuilt and drive the truck. Valve jobs are done all the time without overhauling the entire engine.
Stuart | | |
#56492 02/13/2006 4:18 PM | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 72 Member | | Member Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 72 | Thanks for the words of encouragement Stuart. Funds are certainly a concern. Lastly there was some talk recently that the 250 head was a POS....whats up with that?
49' Chev, 3808 platform
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#56493 02/13/2006 5:10 PM | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | thadley,
I think the POS discussion was focused on the engine that has the integral manifold, or manifolds. Is this your engine?
Sometimes you need to do some heavy sifting through the BS sieve and come to your own educated conclusions.
Stuart | | |
#56494 02/13/2006 11:38 PM | Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,571 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 1,571 | The normal L22 head is fine. That later model integral-manifold thing is a waste of metal. | | |
#56495 02/14/2006 12:31 AM | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 72 Member | | Member Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 72 | Can I just look to see which head it is, simply by some discerning features or is it necessary to get the casting numbers?
49' Chev, 3808 platform
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#56496 02/14/2006 2:37 AM | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | thadley, The POS head..has the manifold cast right onto it I think. Integral means one piece or all in one. This would be easy to spot!  Stuart | | |
#56497 02/14/2006 3:23 AM | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 72 Member | | Member Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 72 | Stuart, thanks I think I understand....
49' Chev, 3808 platform
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#56498 02/14/2006 4:58 AM | Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 2,773 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 2,773 | The integral head has the manifold as part of the same casting. Sticks out to the side. The L22 head has holes in the side where the manifolds bolt on.
On your engine, take a look at the cylinder walls. If they have grooves running up and down, you need to rebuild the bottom end.
Fred
52 3600
69 C-10
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#56499 02/14/2006 5:42 AM | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 72 Member | | Member Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 72 | Fred, I thank you as well for the info. As you might guess I'm not the most knowledgable about these things, but "I be learnin", thanks to all of you!!! I'm knocking around the thought of dropping in a small block into this truck, cuz I know nothing other than what this fellow has told me, and that is , the head has been off for 5 years, with the block still resting in its place with plenty of cover. Living here in the arid Phoenix area, I hope that not to much of a problem, hmmm? If anyone has any feedback I,'d like to hear from ya. By the way this gentleman has owned this truck since he bought it new in 73'. The mileage reads 123k.
49' Chev, 3808 platform
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#56500 02/14/2006 2:39 PM | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 9 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 9 | Thadley - We have talked on the phone before - about my 250 pulled and sitting.I still have it if your interested in sticking with a 6 cyl.Thats something to think about 6 to and 8 - alot of work, plus $$$ and time. My 250 is complete and run when I pulled it to put in a v-8. | | |
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