just a moan really: i've only done 170miles on a new engine (old stock pinto) from ford and turns out exhaust valve isn't working properly only registering 80% compared to the others.

Heads now off and i'm looking for some one to fix (bristol area), i'd have a go myself but lacking time, tools and experience on things like this... any recommendations for my area of someone cheap but competant?


Cheers

Alex

[Edited on 16/9/06 by se7ensport]

there's always one of you around (usually hellfire)....

I would but funds are incredibly tight, I got married last week and looks like I'll still be paying that off until may

ps I do have bike carbs though

May 2026?

you know you want to fit one

If its an old stock engine it may be that the valve in question was one of the ones that would be naturally be open as the engine sat. A bit of condesation may have lead to corrosion of the valve or seat, Perhaps a new valve and or seat recutting would cure it.
Steve

could be all sorts of things such as sticking value, as mentioned bit of valve corrosion or simply just the valve cleance is off (e.g the adjusting nuts were not properly done up or clearance was not done properly).

If its valve clearance that is a doddle. I used to do it on my old GSX600F (pre bucket and shim engine). Thats 16 valves with a special adjuster tool. At least according the the book of lies you can just use two spanners on a pinto.

(As a cheat when doing cleances I used to just put the bike in 5th and turn the rear wheel to drive the cams rather than all the removal of access covers e.t.c).

clearance is set correctly, I suspect new valve and recut will cure.

Half tempted to do it myself but dont want the heart ache of taking it for another rolling road session to get it all set up properly to be told I didn't fix it and having to pay out again!


ps it could easily have been 2026!

If it is a valve seating issue and it was alright rolling road wise before it went a b***ock then surely if you dont fiddle with the fueling or the ignition settings and carefully note all the other positions then you wont need to re rolling road it.

Sounds like it might have been the rolling road that found the problem, 80% is a little specific a number.

It was found during the initial set of checks that interpro carry out prior to rolling roading, so they couldn't continue; they were very helpfull, even lending me some torx keys to take the head off. Only downside is they work out at about £83 an hour once you include VAT.

I remember a story (IIRC at Stan Stevens) where a bloke was bringing in an Aprillia Millie for some head work. On the way over to the workshop a valve broke and burried itself into a piston.

As he said in the article, it would have been a nightmare if that had broken just after leaving the workshop.

Easy job, don't panic!

1) get a replacement valve, for what they cost you may as well. Either your local motor factors or failing that Burton Power will oblige

2) borrow or buy a valve spring compressor (Halfords seem to do Sykes Pickavant ones for £35 which are very good, but you can hire them for a few quid for a weekend)

3) remove knackered valve, check seat, should be able to just do an extensive lapping session with the new valve rather than recut

4) fit new valve

5) get head gasket set and refit head, and new cambelt

ps would do it for you but u are a bit far away in bristol!

quote:

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Originally posted by se7ensport
exhaust valve isn't working properly only registering 80% compared to the others.

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I appreciate the commaradary of this site, shame location isn't in my favour.

The head is litterally brand new original Ford spec.

can I assume that lapping is just using cutting paste between the valve and the seat?

Guessing its been covered before in previous threads so I'm off to have a search through the archive but if anyone has an tips they'd be appreciated.

ps where can I hire a valve spring compressor, just general tool hire places, surely not halfrauds?

Most tool places should have a compressor for rent. Looks like a big G clamp, but with a sprung handle. The lapping as you've guessed involves a fine, or maybe coarse in this case, cutting paste to crate a hopefully perfect seal between head and valve. Just put a dab of paste of the valve and attach some kind of stick to it and rotate between your hands as if starting a fire the boy scout way. Job should be done when the skin falls off your hands!

quote:

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Originally posted by NS Dev
ps would do it for you but u are a bit far away in bristol!

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as NSDEV said ... but you have to ask why is there a problem with such new parts? you have to find the cause otherwise it will keep happening, next time the valve may break destroying the piston, block etc....

quote:

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Originally posted by se7ensport

The head is litterally brand new original Ford spec.

can I assume that lapping is just using cutting paste between the valve and the seat?

ps where can I hire a valve spring compressor, just general tool hire places, surely not halfrauds?

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