Getting a Top End Rebuild
 

I took my 79' SC to my mechanic to adjust the mixture with an exhaust gas analyzer because my CO was a little high. When he heard my car idling he said my valves were making a lot of noise. I thought some valve train noise was normal. When he hooked up the hose to vent the exhaust gasses outside I could hear the noise a lot better myself. He said my valve guides were starting to wear. My car doesn't use much oil and it doesn't smoke from what I've seen. I just don't want to do anymore damage to my valves or engine incase I drop one. I'm thinking about dropping my engine myself to cut about 10 hours of labor of and getting a top end rebuild. I would do it myself but I want to be able to drive my car soon. My time is seriously constrained with my job and a lot of things going on in my life. Therefore I'm going to have it done. Any kind of mods that can be done while doing this without driving the cost of the top end rebuild up? I'm going to replace all of the oil seals, hoses, and vacuum hoses while the engine is out. The research I've done on this board tells me that valve guides can wear without oil consumption. What's the opinion?

When is the last time you adjusted your valves? How much oil do you use?

Tom

I'm with Tom. The 78-79 SC engines don't suffer from the valve guide issues that the 3.2's do. And you stated that you don't burn much oil... I would adjust the valves first. Worn valve guides won't necessarily make the valve train noise any louder...

I adjusted them right after I got the car in march. I've only put 400 miles on it and I haven't had to add any yet. They were double checked so I'm pretty confident it is not the adjustment. I just don't want to destroy my engine and cost myself anymore money and downtime with the car.

I guess I could check them again but maybe my technique is wrong. I was tightening the retainer nut tight enought where it would hold the feeler guage in place, but could still taken out and put back in.

I know a guy who's been around cars for a very long time, and even he got the technique wrong. Do you have a local suport (911) group? Try to get a second opinion.

Not unless there are some Pelicanites here in the middle Tennessee area I don't know about. I haven't been able to attend many PCA events in the past few years.

I believe Don Ramsey is in Nashville. He owns Aircooled Classics. He's be able to give you a good second opinion. (Edit: Sorry DOn's in Knoxville... www.aircooledclassics.biz )

I'm sure there has to be a Pelican or GruppeB'er in Nashville! Put out the call...you might end up saving $XXXX.XX!

I've put out the call Souk. Thanks for the advice. I'm thinking I'm just going to have my mechanic adjust the valves and do the valve guide check with the screw driver just in case I'm using the wrong technique and see if he'll let me feel the resistance on the feeler for future reference if I indeed adjusted them wrong. In the initial post I made it sound like the mech said it was definite, but to his credit he said it MIGHT be. I'm just thinking worst case scenario since it is me. :)

I'd leave it (the valve guides, that is)alone. Have them adjusted. You would be smoking if the guides were worn out, especially the exhausts. Worry when you don't hear any valve clicking noises.
Pat

Pretty quick diagnosis.......... How busy is the shop?!?:) Track your oil consumption for the next while and then make a decision. No need to worry about it at this point.

Jeff

I'll second the valve adjustment. Based on your description of the events, I'd say you simply have valves that are adjusted slightly loose.

Does your car blow a light puff of smoke during a hard deceleration? Many times that would be an indication of worn valve guides, but not always.