450, One thing after another...

We soaked the stuck valve over the weekend in Marvel Mystery oil, hoping it'd do some good. We turned Charlene over and the valve stuck every time it compressed. We freed it up several times but it stuck the next time. The guy helping me thinks the valve is bent. Does that sound right ?

So...what are my choices here? Would the engine rebuild shops have a rebuilt head for a 281? And how about a local machine shop rebuilding it? I'll spend some time on the phone tomorrow looking at options.

The only good news is now I can have the exhaust done right while off the motor.

Just a little bummed out here.
 
(quoted from post at 20:02:17 07/11/16) We soaked the stuck valve over the weekend in Marvel Mystery oil, hoping it'd do some good. We turned Charlene over and the valve stuck every time it compressed. We freed it up several times but it stuck the next time. The guy helping me thinks the valve is bent. Does that sound right ?

So...what are my choices here? Would the engine rebuild shops have a rebuilt head for a 281? And how about a local machine shop rebuilding it? I'll spend some time on the phone tomorrow looking at options.

The only good news is now I can have the exhaust done right while off the motor.

You don't even say where you are and yet you want to know about local shops????

Take the head to a good shop and get it fixed.

Just a little bummed out here.
 
(quoted from post at 20:02:17 07/11/16) We soaked the stuck valve over the weekend in Marvel Mystery oil, hoping it'd do some good. We turned Charlene over and the valve stuck every time it compressed. We freed it up several times but it stuck the next time. The guy helping me thinks the valve is bent. Does that sound right ?

So...what are my choices here? Would the engine rebuild shops have a rebuilt head for a 281? And how about a local machine shop rebuilding it? I'll spend some time on the phone tomorrow looking at options.

The only good news is now I can have the exhaust done right while off the motor.

Just a little bummed out here.

You want to know about local shops but don't say where you are.

Take the head to a good shop and get it done right.
 
may have a bad guide ,weak spring , who knows. If it sat for a long time and that valve was open the stem may be rusted and causing interference with the guide . Keep spraying it with Kroil or some good penetrant and working it and it may free up .
 

Rob, we found some strange things under the tappet cover, a smaller than toothpick sized twig laying on top of the head, and after cleaning the valves some springs show rust. Makes me wonder if someone had the cover off outside and let it rust up some.
 
X2!! Had a Super 88 gas that set outside for
a LONG time when we got it but it was still
free. Whole trying to get it running, we
poured some oil in the cylindersame and
rolled it over. Found it had a stuck valve
so we tapped on it and got it working free.
As soon as it tried to fire that next try,
it popped the head off that valve, which
then ruined the 3 7/8 MW piston. The valve
stem was so pitted, it had only a hair
holding the head on the stem. Runs good
now...
 
Whatever you decide about rebuilding it, it is definitely time to pull the head if you can't get that valve freed up with reasonable effort.

At the very least, remove that valve and inspect it. Roll it on a flat surface to verify that it's straight. If your adventurous and cheap, it might be worth your while to try to polish it up and put it all back together. All you're out is a head gasket.
 
(quoted from post at 17:02:17 07/11/16) We soaked the stuck valve over the weekend in Marvel Mystery oil, hoping it'd do some good. We turned Charlene over and the valve stuck every time it compressed. We freed it up several times but it stuck the next time. The guy helping me thinks the valve is bent. Does that sound right ?

So...what are my choices here? Would the engine rebuild shops have a rebuilt head for a 281? And how about a local machine shop rebuilding it? I'll spend some time on the phone tomorrow looking at options.

The only good news is now I can have the exhaust done right while off the motor.

Just a little bummed out here.

If the valve DOES release and close, then I'll venture a guess that it is NOT bent. If it was bent, you'd never get it to close in the first place. I think something like P.B. Blaster or even WD40 would be a better choice than Marvel Mystery oil.
 

Thanks guys for the info, Barnyard, I think you're right, either way the head has to come off. I'm not cheap, I'm POOR, but I believe I gotta bite the bullet. I'm thinking there's a 20% chance we can unstick the valve. I've called 2 machine shops, I'm looking at $300/500 on a rebuild. Even if the valve frees up I'm still operating on 60 year old seats and guides, so the rebuild looks better and better. I called Lee and left a message to pull the head. I don't want to cut corners on something that effects engine life or performance.
 

Thanks guys for the info, Barnyard, I think you're right, either way the head has to come off. I'm not cheap, I'm POOR, but I believe I gotta bite the bullet. I'm thinking there's a 20% chance we can unstick the valve. I've called 2 machine shops, I'm looking at $300/500 on a rebuild. Even if the valve frees up I'm still operating on 60 year old seats and guides, so the rebuild looks better and better. I called Lee and left a message to pull the head. I don't want to cut corners on something that effects engine life or performance.
 

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