Meissen's LT1 Build-up Thread

[Phantom409]

B, in your other thread you cut the pic to short so I just had to guess at the 2nd one.

That mic was a hard one to read for a 1st timmer but you did good
I had the same issue 2x on heads that I replaced seals on so I feel your frustrations.

If you have the heads off and you can find a "hot rod shop" they should be able to hook you up quick.
Even an engine shop could help you and they would have what you need.
Just an option

[PoorMan]

Enjoyed reading this thread. Just wanted to post to say good luck and have fun.

Jeff

[meissen]

Hey Jeff, thanks for the encouragement!

[meissen]

Well the goodies keep arriving! So far I have a stack of boxes leaning against the wall in the basement and then the cam swap stuff in the workshop.

The valve stem seals finally arrived so my dad and I started to attempt assembly. I will tell you now... I effin hate valve spring compressors. I bought a spring compressor from Murrays like this one:


Only the one I bought isn't built as good as the one in the picture above. The part that pushes against the top of the spring is an upside down "U" shape. The first time we tried assembling the spring, the "U" shape widened because of the tapered top to the spring and right in the middle of cranking the thing down the spring releases from the compressor and shoots the spring topper right off the spring and into the air and the spring shoots up with the compressor and yeah it was NOT a pretty sight but THANKFULLY it didn't hurt anyone or anything. It was hard to get the first spring assembled. The two forks that go in at the bottom of the spring is way too big and was digging into my brand new valve seals. When we got it compressed all the way, it still was barely enough to slide the lockers in. Ok 1 down, 15 more to go. My dad and I started on the second one and we couldn't get the spring compressed enough. I went to slide a locker in and it wouldn't fit. My dad goes "Tap it in with a screw driver..." so I get a screw driver and a small hammer and tap it in, goes in fine. "OK, now put the other side in..." Yeah, spring wasn't compressed enough and we couldn't get it in. And then since we already had it compressed as far as the compressor would go, we couldn't get the 1 locker out. So my dad starts loosening the compressor and the thing literally falls apart in our hands. The c-clip falls into the spring somewhere and we can't find it and it's broken.

So now we have one spring OK, and the other spring only has one locker in it so it's pushed to a weird angle and not real secure. So I run to Murrays to get their gay c-clamp one to rent. It looks like this thing:


Well we get that all hooked up and try to compress the one spring down to get the locker out and we can't get it to compress my beehive spring at all. Apparently my beehives are too strong for this style...

So, needless to say, I'm outsourcing the job to Dave at Engine Craft. Just having him clean the heads to get the grime off, reassemble the valves, and make sure the valve guides are good. He quoted me only $150 to do that, so that's within my budget.

[my95z28]

We have something similar to this, but I fabbed up a larger "c" part, and I put the half a socket thing on the crank end, and a rubber stopper on the other end to hold the bottom of the valve

[BLKHAWK]

Well the goodies keep arriving! So far I have a stack of boxes leaning against the wall in the basement and then the cam swap stuff in the workshop.

The valve stem seals finally arrived so my dad and I started to attempt assembly. I will tell you now... I effin hate valve spring compressors. I bought a spring compressor from Murrays like this one:


Only the one I bought isn't built as good as the one in the picture above. The part that pushes against the top of the spring is an upside down "U" shape. The first time we tried assembling the spring, the "U" shape widened because of the tapered top to the spring and right in the middle of cranking the thing down the spring releases from the compressor and shoots the spring topper right off the spring and into the air and the spring shoots up with the compressor and yeah it was NOT a pretty sight but THANKFULLY it didn't hurt anyone or anything. It was hard to get the first spring assembled. The two forks that go in at the bottom of the spring is way too big and was digging into my brand new valve seals. When we got it compressed all the way, it still was barely enough to slide the lockers in. Ok 1 down, 15 more to go. My dad and I started on the second one and we couldn't get the spring compressed enough. I went to slide a locker in and it wouldn't fit. My dad goes "Tap it in with a screw driver..." so I get a screw driver and a small hammer and tap it in, goes in fine. "OK, now put the other side in..." Yeah, spring wasn't compressed enough and we couldn't get it in. And then since we already had it compressed as far as the compressor would go, we couldn't get the 1 locker out. So my dad starts loosening the compressor and the thing literally falls apart in our hands. The c-clip falls into the spring somewhere and we can't find it and it's broken.

So now we have one spring OK, and the other spring only has one locker in it so it's pushed to a weird angle and not real secure. So I run to Murrays to get their gay c-clamp one to rent. It looks like this thing:


Well we get that all hooked up and try to compress the one spring down to get the locker out and we can't get it to compress my beehive spring at all. Apparently my beehives are too strong for this style...

So, needless to say, I'm outsourcing the job to Dave at Engine Craft. Just having him clean the heads to get the grime off, reassemble the valves, and make sure the valve guides are good. He quoted me only $150 to do that, so that's within my budget.

yo B did you have a valve job done? did you have the heads milled?
where are you located? I'll clean and assemble for cheaper than 150.00

[MP81]

Sounds like you had some fun, B.

[meissen]

yo B did you have a valve job done? did you have the heads milled?
where are you located? I'll clean and assemble for cheaper than 150.00

I haven't had anything done yet, but if you can clean and assemble and make sure the heads and valves are OK, I'm down with saving money. I'm in Macomb, MI - 24 Mile Rd and Hayes Rd.

[SoulTerror]

That's why you don't buy tool's from places like Auto Zone, Advanced Auto, and Murray's. I've never had good luck with any of the tools I've bought there. Hell even a side mount battery wrench broke the first time I used it.

[BLKHAWK]

I haven't had anything done yet, but if you can clean and assemble and make sure the heads and valves are OK, I'm down with saving money. I'm in Macomb, MI - 24 Mile Rd and Hayes Rd.

yea no problem when you wanna meet up?

[meissen]

Going to a dealership tonight, not sure how long I'll be there. How's Friday after 4:30pm? Are you talking about meeting half way or me coming to you or you coming to me?

[Phantom409]

Ya the 1st compressor don't work worth a
And double springs, forget it!
The hooks can't grab the 2nd spring

Now I have used the second compressor in that form and in air powered.
The air powered is sweet!!!

[BLKHAWK]

Going to a dealership tonight, not sure how long I'll be there. How's Friday after 4:30pm? Are you talking about meeting half way or me coming to you or you coming to me?

this afternoon or tomarrow is fine, we could meet up. just give me a call B

[meissen]

Alright, will have to be tomorrow. I'm working till 4:30 then going to the dealership straight from work and might be there for awhile... we'll see - depends on what kind of deals they want to entertain me with.

[my95z28]

Now I have used the second compressor in that form and in air powered.
The air powered is sweet!!!

Those ones allways scare the shit outta me when I use them. I'm afraid im gonna get my finger in there, lol.