update...not good

[bsh21wash]

Re: update...not good

Wont I have take off the power steering, harmonic balancer and all that good stuff to do the timing...If I can remember right it said to make sure #1 piston is TDC and the little mark on the timing cover is supposed to be at 0?? How would I make sure the distributer is working correctly?


Here is one more picture of the head.

 

[bsh21wash]

Re: update...not good

I'm going to take the head into NAPA and have them work on it... Also going to see if I can get a replacement piston. Any other suggestions? Thanks guys

 

[SuperNova]

Re: update...not good

None here, looks like your coming along pretty well.
Let me tell you a quick story about my first real boat which coincidentally also had a 4.3l. It had a bad rod knock when I bought it. I lifted the engine and threw a new set of bearings in it, the crank didn't look bad and I didn't check the rod big end for out-of-round. I put it back together and took it out and ran it--for about 10 minutes it sounded real good, then it started knocking again. So back apart it came. I the one head off over the bad rod, removed the rod and piston, removed the crank. Bought a crank and bearing kit with the gaskets at a national cheapo auto parts store for $165. I re-sized the big end of the rod with a hammer and a dial bore gauge to within .0002" (yes, that is 2 ten-thousandths) of perfectly round. The bearing had never actually spun in the rod, it had just hammered it oblong. Anyway, I reassembled the whole thing and used it for another 4 years with no problems or noises, and we run em hard. Then I pulled the 4.3 and built a really strong 355 to swap in. I sold the motor to a buddy of mine and he still runs it. 12 years later. So, unless you have money to waste on assembly replacement, I am a strong proponent of component repairs. Fix what needs to be fixed.
--
Stan

 

[Windykid]

Re: update...not good

Plastic gage! Buy some at Napa.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: update...not good

I did plastigauge and it didn't show the problem. Clearance was .003" according to the plastigauge. I have found that while it is good in most instances, there are times when it won't tell the whole story. It's more of an assembly aid than a diagnostic aid. My feelings, anyway. That's why I ended up having dial bore gauge the rod big end.
--
Stan

 

[bsh21wash]

Re: update...not good

Plastic gage? Ive heard of it but have no clue??? Great story!! Hope it works

 

[paultech6]

Re: update...not good

Check the exhaust valve in the same cylinder .
I bet its burned. Flip head over and if it looks more sunken into seats more than the others your valve and seat is bad . Also the rings being stuck means you have melted ring lands.
You have had detonation in this cylinder. The question now is how far along are the other cylinders and pistons.
Cheap fixes are not the answer they will come back to bite you.

 

[bsh21wash]

Re: update...not good

The other cylinders & pistons look good...granted I didnt take off the other head and check those.

Anyone in the Seattle area know a good shop that works on heads??