New Eagle! Now I just have to get it started...

[djohnston89]

It has been quite cold every day I've had to try and start it, which I'm sure isn't helping. The battery is new, but it was the last one Advance Auto had on the shelf in that group size, so I wouldn't be totally surprised if that turned out to be the problem. I'll do the voltage drop test you suggested Carnuck, and return the battery if need be (hope I can remember what I did with the receipt  ). The Solenoid is new, I replaced that when I replaced the ignition module, because it was right there and I didn't want to make another trip the parts store if that was the problem, but I'll check it as well.

Now I just need Sunday to hurry up and get here 

[djohnston89]

I just had a terrible thought; what if something is horribly wrong with the valve train? Specifically in relation to the state of that spark plug I pulled out of the #5 cylinder. I guess I'll pull the valve cover on Sunday as well and crank it over by hand to make sure everything that should move, does move.

[carnuck]

That would be a good idea.

[djohnston89]

Removed the valve cover today and found exactly what I was hoping not to; broken springs on both the #4 and #5 rockers.



Along with the broken pieces of spring and washers, I found this plastic piece floating around in there. Anyone have any idea what it might be?


So I picked up some new valve springs at NAPA, I'll probably end up having to pull the head off but I figured I might as well try changing just the springs and giving that a shot first. I also picked up a new starter, just incase it needs it. What I'm most curious about is how this might have happened. I did find that the valve cover had been installed with only RTV and without a gasket and that a large blob of RTV had gotten on rocker closest to the firewall, but I wouldn't think that could cause something like broken springs.

[mudkicker715]

That plastic thing is the valve seal

[Amc1320]

Check all your push rods too, make sure they didn't get bent during all of that.

Are the broken ones intake or exhaust valves? It could be way out of time maybe

Is this the same one that had the chewed up spark plug?

Did you use any kind of either spray to get it started? Did that once and bent a valve, never again.....

[djohnston89]

Looks like it's the intake valve on #5 (which is the same one I pulled the chewed up spark plug out of) and exhaust on #4 that have broken springs. The more I think about it, the more I think I'd better just go ahead and pull the head.

We did use starting fluid to try and start it, but I can't imagine that would cause two springs to snap 

[carnuck]

Look down the spark plug hole and see if there is any damage. May have been stuck valves. Common on the plastic cover heads.

[Amc1320]

Yeah, sorry you found what you did. You are right to pull the head and see if there is any more damage and fix those valves .

Hopefully the piston in there looks ok , fingers crossed

[carnuck]

I would look down the plug holes for damage first. If there is, it's rebuild time.

[eaglefreek]

I broke a valve spring, but the retainer stayed on and no other damage occurred. Since your retainer is off, there is a good possibility the valve is bent since it is still hanging in the guide and not down in the cylinder. You can always put the springs on and give it a try. See how easy the valve moves up and down if at all in the guide without dropping into the cylinder.

[djohnston89]

Tried looking in the plug hole, couldn't really see much. nothing that jumped out at me anyway. My eyesight isn't fantastic though, so that might have something to do with it. The valves do indeed appear to be bent, the one with the broken spring on #4 doesn't move at all.  Started taking things apart today to pull the head, and once I removed the carb I found more evidence of carnage:





Appears to be cast aluminum; it's nonmagnetic and very light.

[carnuck]

That's a piston skirt.

[eagleman]

Yup that's part of a piston all right. Looks like a rebuid on the horizon to me. Sorry!

[carnuck]

Now you can not only do the 4.0L head swap, you can swap in the whole motor too!