Sometimes we are cursed, sometimes blessed

[dvw]

Wasn't happy about chalking up an 003 R/T loss last week. Until today. While running the valves today #1 exhaust didn't feel right. New rockers the roller spun ok. Im thinking whats sticking up under the wheel?. Pulled the pair off. There staring at me is one valve lock about 1/2 way up. Pulled the spring. Valve, retainer and rocker have no damage. I must have burred the lock when swapping springs to start the season. 17 passes since the swap. Good to go for this weekend. Thank you God.
Doug

 

[Fran Blacker]

Disaster Averted !

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Wow.... You dodged one seriously bad day..

 

[bcOH67]

Being nosey and curious- what would have happened because of that?

 

[icetech]

Being nosey and curious- what would have happened because of that?

The valve would drop down into the cylinder and at minimum destroy the piston and make the head need welding and a lot of work.. and the time it would take would be worse than the money. Worst case would be literally destroying the block/motor.. or at least needing a sleeve. That right there is about as close as you get to disaster and avoid it.. an amazing catch

 

[icetech]

Doug didn't you catch something at the end of last year also that was just about ready to break that was bad?

 

[dvw]

Doug didn't you catch something at the end of last year also that was just about ready to break that was bad?

Last Spring a nut fell in the secondary of one of the carbs on while working on the alternator. It was on a towel on the carb tray. I thought I dropped it in down in the header tubes by the collector. Found a broken sprag spring in the trans pan. Pulled the trans to repair it. At that time turning the engine by hand the nut fell on top of the #4 piston. When reinstalling the trans the engine would only turn over 1/2 turn. At this point in time I had no idea what was wrong, knew nothing of the nut falling in. During the diagnosis to determine why, the pan was off. Looking up, noticed a bad lobe on the cam. Ultimately I found the nut, undamaged. They say God works in mysterious ways. I believe it.
Doug

 

[icetech]

Last Spring a nut fell in the secondary of one of the carbs on while working on the alternator. It was on a towel on the carb tray. I thought I dropped it in down in the header tubes by the collector. Found a broken sprag spring in the trans pan. Pulled the trans to repair it. At that time turning the engine by hand the nut fell on top of the #4 piston. When reinstalling the trans the engine would only turn over 1/2 turn. At this point in time I had no idea what was wrong, knew nothing of the nut falling in. During the diagnosis to determine why, the pan was off. Looking up, noticed a bad lobe on the cam. Ultimately I found the nut, undamaged. They say God works in mysterious ways. I believe it.
Doug

K.. that's crazy.. and everytime i can't find a nut i think it's in the motor.. bore scope is paying for itself, one of my best buys to stay sane (ish)

 

[zyzzyx]

Yes, you are truly Blessed! (Now go and buy a lotto ticket!)

 

[padam]

When you’re as meticulous as this guy, you make your own luck!

I’m starting to think that mechanical cams are the way to go (for hi perf.) If you lash the valves on a regular basis you’re more likely to find a problem in the valve train /cam before it turns catastrophic.

And hi performance cams should be considered a wear item.

Also those dang header collectors sucking up nuts! I dropped like 3 in a row down there reinstalling my engine this spring. Finally laid a rag over the area before I lost my mind.

 

[qkcuda]

Good catch!

 

[66 Cornpicker]

Great catch Doug, you are definitely living right by God ! Good luck next time out !

 

[MarPar]

God is indeed Great!

 

[Budnicks]

Good catch, good you checked, averted disaster

 

[Fran Blacker]

Wasn't happy about chalking up an 003 R/T loss last week. Until today. While running the valves today #1 exhaust didn't feel right. New rockers the roller spun ok. Im thinking whats sticking up under the wheel?. Pulled the pair off. There staring at me is one valve lock about 1/2 way up. Pulled the spring. Valve, retainer and rocker have no damage. I must have burred the lock when swapping springs to start the season. 17 passes since the swap. Good to go for this weekend. Thank you God.
Doug

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Did you replace the keeper looks like the burr chewed up pretty good.

 

[Jeremiah]

Are those Super 7s or 10° locks? I assume it is a 11/32 steel valve?

Nice catch! That could have been catastrophic.

 

[dvw]

10 degree Pac machined locks. Ferrea 11/32 stainless valves. Yes new locks.
Doug

 

[bobtile]

Nice catch.
Id rather be lucky than good.
In your case, you don't need to make that decision...