The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1958 235

Good morning, I have a 1958 3100 pickup with a 235 and manual trans. the truck has aout 50k original miles and runs very well. I had my first real problem a couple of weeks ago. I broke a valve spring. I was able to strap up the vallve to keep it from dropping in and get the truck home on 5 cylinders. i pulled the head and everything looks good I think I dodged the bullet. My question is: While the head is off I could just get another spring slap it back together and go but I would like to do anything that should be done to these motors now as opposed to later. Should all the springgs be changed ? Should the valve seats be changed ? Does anybody know a REAL machine shop in Los Angeles that does work on these motors

It's to bad you went to all the work of pulling the head. A spring could have been replaced without pulling the head.
With 50K on it I doubt you need to do anything but replace the one spring.

I wish i had known that was possible but even so I was afraid I ahad done some damage and wanted to see it. What about the other stuff. Hardened valve seats and replacing all the springs do you think its overkill. it was a real good running motor. never heated or burned any oil was quiet. i drive it every day abd want to keep it so i will do what is best.

I do not like putting hard seats in unless the valves are sunk in the head. I have seen hard seats come out and damage an engine.
Springs are your call. Easy to replace while the head is off, but it's doubtful another one will break.

I just heard that the hardened seats are for unleaded fuel if it doesnt help I dont care. i am afraid the springs may be a problem I wasn't on or anything just motoring at low rpm's and ping it was gone . i may just change them and clean it up and re-install. Is there a tool for compressing the springs and what is it called. It looks like the keepers that hold the valve are just held in place by the pressure of the spring . Is this correct is there any specific proceedure that needs to be followed

There is no reason to install hard seats for unleaded fuel although a lot of people think so.

One reason I would leave the rest of the springs alone is valves wear in to one spot and if you change the position of the valve in its seat, while changing the spring, it might not seal and end up burning.

If you mark the valve position to the seat on each valve you may be OK but...

If you change all of the springs I think you may as well have the valves reground just to be safe.

A eBay search shows a common spring compressor. They can be rented also.

pull that sucker off and rebuilt the head, new hardened seats for unleaded fuel, new valves and springs, and a fresh head gasket. It wont cost an arm and a leg and will be worth it in the long run.

I agree with Dave, hardened seats are NOT necessary.