Fun filled weekend!!!New Bed Cover!!BAD news for 307????

[SWINGSAX68]

Well...earlier this week I ordered a few things from Chevy Duty...and I just gave in and bought one of those black tonneu covers. It took a few hours and lots of brain work between me and my freinds, a few broken screw buttons.....but we got it on nice and tight!!!! It makes my truck almost look complete....not that there is anything to look at but it gives it a fresh appearance.

I also replaced my gas tank and sending unit FINALLY!!!! MY FUEL GAUGE WORKS!!!!!

My 307 runs well....but I may have 2-3 slightly bent rods...or 2-3 of my valve guides are coming up from where they sit, or my cam has some wearing....any of the above mentioned all from the first mechanic that over hauled my engine. He tightened the valves way too much.....BAD. But my new mechanic, family freind said that if he leaves some valves a little loose....I just have to live with some rattling for as long as it takes for me to get some more cash to get it all fixed. His words'
"You can drive this SOB all over the place, and it shouldn't give you trouble, until your ready to get it fixed"

He is a really good mechanic and I do take his word. It is just upsetting that I found this out.....i expected it cause that first mechanic was kind of shady. oh well.....I have no choice but to drive it for now. Any words of advice??? Other than that....everything is running well....VERY WELL....I have lots of power....I am content....but a little disappointed that someone that is supposed to have this knowledge isn't really worth the money he was paid....now this is only the troubles of my engine....my dads truck is another mess and he is gonna have to go for his 2nd overhaul cause of that first damn mechanic.....it really pisses me off...and as soon as my engine was overhauled he just took off and never came back. I'm expecting to go through another overhaul sometime within the next year or sooner......man that really bites. Hey but it made a long 45 minute drive to and back from San Antonio...so maybe there is hope.
Thanks for listining fellas....
Old chevys never die....they just work harder.

[Blue68]

Did you pull the intake to discover all this?

Your buddy is right, these are extremely durable engines, but I don't agree that anything but the correct setting of the valves is right. Go back and reset all your rocker nuts to be as factory specified (3/4 turn after zero lash).

I'd pull the intake and see what kind of damage may have been done to the cam (if any) by examing the lifter's surfaces. Replace any bent rods (sounds like even make sure they are the correct length). Then reset the lash.

If nothing else, it will give you peace of mind and longer time before having to do the rebuild.

[SWINGSAX68]

I will definately take that into consideration...the thing is the guides are showing too much thread. the mechanic said that they shouldn't show that much thread, and they may be grooving into the cam, or pulling out the guides...or....bent rods. So yep, we won't really be sure until we remove the manifold.
I will deffinatley consider this soon. I was just in fear of posting this info, that someone would start screaming bloody murder cause I'm choosing to run my truck as is for the time being....you know what I mean Blue68??
I appreciate your advice.

[Blue68]

I understand your hesitation, only I think most folks on the board understand running what you've got. It's not like it is a rare engine or even sought after engine. I had a 307 for a while. Good solid boat anchors. But not much beyond that.

The other suggestion that I left out would be to do a budget head swap. I did mine (the valves were sucking up) shortly after getting a set for less than $200 by going through a big Dallas shop. The heads they swapped me were 307 heads. They were welded between a couple of cyclinders, but served admirably for 2 1/2 years.

I also understand that college students don't always have $200 just laying around.

[SWINGSAX68]

well...barring any further problems I hope that I can get my engine to last me a good long while before any major stuff happens. I really trust my mechanic so we will see from there.