Valve springs and lifters in and engine that sat for 6 years
06-18-2021, 12:23 AM
#1
Valve springs and lifters in an engine that sat for 6 years
Hey guys my island hotel is doing well so finally ready to start building my cars I had to sit aside for about 6 years
i have a 67 camaro with a bbc 540. I’m running a .647 lift hyd roller cam and lifters.
You think the lifters and valve springs are bad from the engine sitting all that time? The engine has dyno time only, thanks in advance for any feedback, Rm
i have a 67 camaro with a bbc 540. I’m running a .647 lift hyd roller cam and lifters.
You think the lifters and valve springs are bad from the engine sitting all that time? The engine has dyno time only, thanks in advance for any feedback, Rm
Last edited by iliveonanisland; 06-18-2021 at 01:42 AM.
06-18-2021, 07:46 AM
#2
Registered
Should be fine unless moisture got inside and started rusting the valvesprings and etc. Most all (boat/jetski/hotrod/snowmobile/motorcycle/etc) engines around here sit for 8-10 months a year, year after year. Some years, they don't get used. It's the fuel sitting we all worry about.
Great to hear about the motel !
Great to hear about the motel !
06-18-2021, 08:27 AM
#3
Registered
Yes there are a lot of engines that are fired up after x years of being all but abandoned... most of those aren't a purpose built 540 in a camaro vs. graveyard stock production engine.
There is always 2 schools to look at your situation...as SB stated where it can be no issue or, you can run and break a spring in no time which leads to ???? and your on an island
Do you have the ways/means to pull a valve spring w/o pulling the heads and compare to new spec height? I've seen springs where they take a set under full compression after a long time - obviously, where the cam has both valves closed it would be less of an issue vs. full compression....
very minimum you need to get the lifters expanded or they will be hammering .
There is always 2 schools to look at your situation...as SB stated where it can be no issue or, you can run and break a spring in no time which leads to ???? and your on an island
Do you have the ways/means to pull a valve spring w/o pulling the heads and compare to new spec height? I've seen springs where they take a set under full compression after a long time - obviously, where the cam has both valves closed it would be less of an issue vs. full compression....
very minimum you need to get the lifters expanded or they will be hammering .
06-18-2021, 08:45 PM
#5
Registered
Rm,
I did a test a while back where I checked a couple of springs and then compressed them to coil bind with two retainers and a bolt and nut. I let them sit for a year and checked them and they had not lost even a pound. A few months ago I was cleaning up in m garage and found the box with the two springs in it from almost ten years ago. I took them to the shop and loosened the bolts and checked them. The bigger spring which was for a hydraulic roller had lost about 5 lbs ? The small stock spring still checked the same as it did ten years ago.
So I guess the moral is ..... go ahead and run it
I would pre-oil the heck out of it to make sure some oil is running down on the lifter wheels but otherwise I also say "go for it"
I did a test a while back where I checked a couple of springs and then compressed them to coil bind with two retainers and a bolt and nut. I let them sit for a year and checked them and they had not lost even a pound. A few months ago I was cleaning up in m garage and found the box with the two springs in it from almost ten years ago. I took them to the shop and loosened the bolts and checked them. The bigger spring which was for a hydraulic roller had lost about 5 lbs ? The small stock spring still checked the same as it did ten years ago.
So I guess the moral is ..... go ahead and run it
I would pre-oil the heck out of it to make sure some oil is running down on the lifter wheels but otherwise I also say "go for it"
The following 2 users liked this post by BillK:
Ryan00TJ (06-19-2021), tommymonza (06-18-2021)
06-18-2021, 08:55 PM
#6
Gold Member
Gold Member
The lifters bleed down so the springs arent under full compression. Spray a little WD40 in the intake and remove the valve covers and oil the springs and rockers. Turn it over on a battery till you get oil pressure if you are afraid... The lifters squeak in my boat till it comes up close to temp after 3 months no matter what.
Send it!
Send it!
06-20-2021, 04:29 PM
#9
Yes there are a lot of engines that are fired up after x years of being all but abandoned... most of those aren't a purpose built 540 in a camaro vs. graveyard stock production engine.
There is always 2 schools to look at your situation...as SB stated where it can be no issue or, you can run and break a spring in no time which leads to ???? and your on an island
Do you have the ways/means to pull a valve spring w/o pulling the heads and compare to new spec height? I've seen springs where they take a set under full compression after a long time - obviously, where the cam has both valves closed it would be less of an issue vs. full compression....
very minimum you need to get the lifters expanded or they will be hammering .
There is always 2 schools to look at your situation...as SB stated where it can be no issue or, you can run and break a spring in no time which leads to ???? and your on an island
Do you have the ways/means to pull a valve spring w/o pulling the heads and compare to new spec height? I've seen springs where they take a set under full compression after a long time - obviously, where the cam has both valves closed it would be less of an issue vs. full compression....
very minimum you need to get the lifters expanded or they will be hammering .
