Replace valve springs? Help me experts - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

fabguy · 04-07-2013, 01:14 PM

Ok, I have had a 327 chevy that was rebuilt about 10 yrs ago by Blairs in pasadena by my little brother, and has been sitting bagged and covered.
I pulled the heads to check the cylinder walls to make sure no rust was present on cylinder walls. Should I be concerned as the engine had rockers adjusted and subsequent valve tension. 1 mechanic has told me that it has weakened the valve springs and I will float a valve if I don't replace the springs, is this true?
should I runn as they are and hope it doesn't happen?
Advise please as I am not an engine builder, just a guy who is trying to remember how his truck goes back together after 15 yrs.

OrrieG · 04-07-2013, 01:43 PM

I would not worry about it. Think of all the rigs that have set for decades that get started and run fine. Think of all the garage queens that get ran for a few minutes three times a year. My engine will have been sitting for about 6 years when I start it next month. If it ain't broke no need to fix it. Make sure you oil it up good and fire it up. If it has problems with the valve springs then you can deal with it. I can't believe the steel is so soft that it would weaken from being compressed for a few years.

Speedbumpauto · 04-07-2013, 02:08 PM

Heat and cycling wear out modern valve springs, not sitting in a partial compressed condition. In the old days, maybe. You're good to go.

solidaxel · 04-07-2013, 11:46 PM

I would not worry about it.
I have "garage queens" that set for years (20+) and they are the stock springs.
Prime the carb, change the oil replace the battery, fix the gas leaks fires right up.
These old corvettes will still tach 5k and not float the valves.
It will be just fine!

mr48chev · 04-08-2013, 02:52 AM

There may be something to that if it's race motor with high tension valve springs. I've known drag racers that backed their valves off after a race at the track so that they did n't have tension on the springs and never had the valves under pressure when the rig was stored. On a stock engine I wouldn't worry too much about it.

OrrieG · 04-08-2013, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solidaxel

I would not worry about it.
I have "garage queens" that set for years (20+) and they are the stock springs.
Prime the carb, change the oil replace the battery, fix the gas leaks fires right up.
These old corvettes will still tach 5k and not float the valves.
It will be just fine!

I can store the 62 or 65 for you if you want....I am relatively close.

solidaxel · 04-08-2013, 04:33 PM

Thank You for the offer Orrie, I will keep you posted when I need them stored for a few years.

That is what I like about this site, there is always someone on here that is more than willing to help you out !!

04-07-2013, 01:14 PM	#1
fabguy Elev8r Man Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 835	Replace valve springs? Help me experts Ok, I have had a 327 chevy that was rebuilt about 10 yrs ago by Blairs in pasadena by my little brother, and has been sitting bagged and covered. I pulled the heads to check the cylinder walls to make sure no rust was present on cylinder walls. Should I be concerned as the engine had rockers adjusted and subsequent valve tension. 1 mechanic has told me that it has weakened the valve springs and I will float a valve if I don't replace the springs, is this true? should I runn as they are and hope it doesn't happen? Advise please as I am not an engine builder, just a guy who is trying to remember how his truck goes back together after 15 yrs. __________________ 1955.2 C4 Carry-all / Suburban ---> 55.2 Build Thread!! 1958 Fleetside SWB ---> 58 Fleetside Build thread 1939 2 door sedan *My F.B. project page.*

04-07-2013, 01:43 PM	#2
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: Replace valve springs? Help me experts I would not worry about it. Think of all the rigs that have set for decades that get started and run fine. Think of all the garage queens that get ran for a few minutes three times a year. My engine will have been sitting for about 6 years when I start it next month. If it ain't broke no need to fix it. Make sure you oil it up good and fire it up. If it has problems with the valve springs then you can deal with it. I can't believe the steel is so soft that it would weaken from being compressed for a few years. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

04-07-2013, 02:08 PM	#3
Speedbumpauto Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 917	Re: Replace valve springs? Help me experts Heat and cycling wear out modern valve springs, not sitting in a partial compressed condition. In the old days, maybe. You're good to go.

04-07-2013, 11:46 PM	#4
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	Re: Replace valve springs? Help me experts I would not worry about it. I have "garage queens" that set for years (20+) and they are the stock springs. Prime the carb, change the oil replace the battery, fix the gas leaks fires right up. These old corvettes will still tach 5k and not float the valves. It will be just fine! __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42

04-08-2013, 02:52 AM	#5
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,498	Re: Replace valve springs? Help me experts There may be something to that if it's race motor with high tension valve springs. I've known drag racers that backed their valves off after a race at the track so that they did n't have tension on the springs and never had the valves under pressure when the rig was stored. On a stock engine I wouldn't worry too much about it. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

04-08-2013, 04:33 PM	#7
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	Re: Replace valve springs? Help me experts Thank You for the offer Orrie, I will keep you posted when I need them stored for a few years. That is what I like about this site, there is always someone on here that is more than willing to help you out !! __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42



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