Good morning all. I've decided to take on the project of removing the cylinder heads from my '72 L48 and doing some needed maintenance on valves, valve guides, springs, guides, etc this winter. This summer, I noticed a loss in power, which led me to find a plug-fouling condition in a few cylinders. A compression check seemed to show good compression in all cylinders. Close examination of the cylinder internals with an endoscope didn't reveal any significant issues other than carbon or burned oil on the top of a few pistons. Scope examination of the valves, guides, seals and springs, however, showed lots of issues. Most significantly, I noticed how the seals seem to have come off the guides and are now not functioning. I see also that at least a couple valve stems are gouged. I have photos of this and can share if/as needed.
All this has me committed to having the valves, guides, springs, etc replaced and the heads re-ground too. My questions to this group:
1. Any recommendations on how to best do this work?
2. Are there any modest modifications I could/should do to the valve train while disassembled to improve performance of the engine?
I've thought about increasing valve size but don't know enough about the valve train as a whole to know if that change alone would provide benefit. This is a top flight car and I don't want to make any changes that would hurt the car in points scoring.
Any/all inputs and advice appreciated.
Thanks.
All this has me committed to having the valves, guides, springs, etc replaced and the heads re-ground too. My questions to this group:
1. Any recommendations on how to best do this work?
2. Are there any modest modifications I could/should do to the valve train while disassembled to improve performance of the engine?
I've thought about increasing valve size but don't know enough about the valve train as a whole to know if that change alone would provide benefit. This is a top flight car and I don't want to make any changes that would hurt the car in points scoring.
Any/all inputs and advice appreciated.
Thanks.
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