valve replace ... am i asking for more problems?

[dbirdez]

My 95 5.7 Tahoe has 440,000 mi. on it and coming back from Ca, I noticed the #2 cylinder was noisy so I adjusted all the lifters #2 was incredibly loose. Checked the stud to see if it might have loosened but it didn't. Did a compression test and it only had 25lbs. So if it is a bent or burnt valve ,is replacing the int/exh on that cylinder a good idea or just spring for new heads?

 

[Rd05lly]

New Heads on a tired bottom end is not a good idea. I would pull it apart for a rebuild if it were mine. Need to find out why the valve bent.

 

[dbirdez]

Thanks Rd, prior to the valve incident or whatever it is, (I haven't pulled anything yet) it had oil pressure that was within specs,it's been a well cared for / babied engine so I thought the bottom end could take an upper rework. I'm getting mixed opinions but the general one is yours. Dangitt , I was trying to get in the million mile mark, almost halfway there Ha Ha Thanks again.

 

[MO Viet Vet]

When you do the upper end and increase the pressure in the cylinder with tighter tolerances in the valve train then that puts more pressure on the lower end and can cause a failure. Would be best to have the same age and reliability with upper and lower ends of the engine.

 

[dbirdez]

Thanks Raiderron, I understand what you are saying, was just thinking of redoing the one cylinder of valves that are the culprit if one of them is bent or burned and eek out some more miles before a rebuild, I haven't determined why the rocker was so loose or the sequence of events yet, I'm still in the planning stages. Thanks for your input/help!!!

 

[MO Viet Vet]

IMO if I tear down an upper end that far I am fixing the whole head and not going thru all that labor for one cylinder and if doing 1 head would do both....etc. Time for reman engine at this point. I understand if money is tight but if the vehicle meets your needs, is paid for, rest of it in good/decent condition, then time to bite a bullet or just drive it as is with the valve adjusted.

 

[dbirdez]

I hate the taste of lead , but am thinking that too, Thanks ,Looking at remans, and crates ... Love my truck ha ha .

 

[Rd05lly]

LS would be a good option.

I bet if you pull that head off and it is a bent valve. Now you have to look for what caused that could be a bad cam lobe caused it.