exhaust port oil

[mack]

Pulled the head the other day and today I removed the valves. Going to clean it all up and check for warping. I noticed that my #2 & #4 exhaust ports had heavy oily residue which was shiny. #2 was dry to the touch but #4 was still wet. I found this surprising as it hasn't run since 91. I'm going to replace the vave stem seals after I lap them, but any ideas on why sooo much oil there? #1 & #3 were pretty sooty but not oily. Also had a band of rust in intake port of #2. That can't be good. I'm afraid to look at the carbs at this point but I'll bet #2 is a gem.

[dbeardslee]

You never know - someone may have put oil in the cylinders when it was stored. When a motor sits, there's always one valve open. By your description it sounds like it was the number 2 intake on this one - hense the rust at the port. It's a good idea to check your valve springs while it's apart and make sure they're still in spec - particularly number 2 intake if it's been open and the springs have been compressed for 18 years.

[mack]

inspection

I may have figured it out. While cleaning the valves today, the exhausts are real bad. I doubt any of them closed very well. After I brought it home I got some AMSOIL combustion chamber cleaning expanding foam and sprayed that liberally in the cylinders several times before I cranked it over by hand. I figure some of it expanded past the valves and into the ports. The rust in #2 is a concern but on closer inspection, it is very gummy and an orange color. I figure this is probably the reminents of gas from when I put it away. Just happens that the vacuum line hooks up there as well so it could be moisture through the line as the air box was toast from mould. Question though, The valve guide seals. Do they just push on by finger pressure to seat them properly?

[dbeardslee]

The new stem seals - just push on with your fingers. The first time the valves open they will get pressed all the way down.

[randy]

Well, they're a tight push, and you'll feel it when they find their home. As for the valve 'pushing them down', er....no. That may have been true for the old Buick and Pontiac V-8's that used the umbrella type seals, but our seals are a press fit onto the valve guide. The guide has a locating notch in it that holds the seal in place.