Bill Stoneberg Posted November 3, 2013 Share Posted November 3, 2013 I can't wait, I get to learn some now skills in my life. I am so happy about this. (All the proceeding was said with much sarcasim).Today as I was cruising along at 55 or so in my 64 Riviera, a horrible clatter started and the passenger compartment filled with oily smoke.Got off the freeway as soon as I could but I feel it is to late. Something in the engine let go and probably took $ 3 - 5000 worth of other parts with it.So now I get to learn how an engine and assorted other parts comes out then how a built replacement (if it still turns) I have goes back in. I get to search the garage looking for partsthat aren't on that short block I have and what I need to do to make it whole. First I have to clear the garage floor so I have some room to work. Canoes and Kayaks are once again relegated to the back yard.Just as it is time of year to drive the car…. What a pain in the butt this nice drive turned out to be.More coming as I play CSI to find the cause of this all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted November 3, 2013 Share Posted November 3, 2013 This will clatter pretty good: And still drive into the garage. My daughter did it. Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jscheib Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 Bill,Hope it is comforting that you are not alone with the experience.John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 (edited) Ouch. Hard to say until you get it torn down enough to see. Sounds like you dropped a rod, or swallowed a valve, or something similar. Keep us posted, and post some photos. Dandy Dave! Edited November 5, 2013 by Dandy Dave (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted November 10, 2013 Author Share Posted November 10, 2013 A valve broke and took the piston along with it.. God only knows where the valve is, I am sure I will find it in the oils when I take the engine more apart.Its a mess…. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted November 10, 2013 Author Share Posted November 10, 2013 More investigation, A valve broke completely off and totally trashed the piston, not too mention the Spark Plug.Pictures are included.Thanks for the diagnosis Dave…. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 That's pretty ugly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 What did the rest of the valve stem look like, diameter-wise? A while back, a guy brought a Pontiac 389-family V-8 to my machine shop associate's shop to get a valve job done. When he pulled the valves out, the stem of one valve, below the guide and above the valve head, was about 1/8" in diameter (basically, an "hour glass" inverted shape). It was not thin enough to bend, but was getting dang close to breaking. Kind of like the subframe bolts in my '77 Camaro were getting (hidden as they are) when they were replaced with grade 8 bolts.Other failures have been in the area of the upper stem, where the retention grooves are. If the valves are designed to rotate (without the use of dedicated rotator mechanisms), the locks will be a little loose to allow for this. Over time, the grooves will wear and the valve keepers will fail to hold the valve stem against spring pressure.We've seen what happened to the piston . . . what about the piston wall and the valve seat itself? When replacing "one" OEM-production piston with an aftermarket "replacement" piston, you'll most probably discover the weights to not be the same, especially if an OEM piston might be an oversize piston. Replacement pistons seldom weigh the same as the production pistons they look like. So, in the case of "one" being replaced, you'll need to get a digital scale (in grams) to weigh a good piston of the bunch and then weight the new replacement piston . . . matching the heavier replacement piston to that of the OEM piston's weight. This ensures that "factory balance" is maintained. Not quite so critical if the whole set is being replaced, though.The question now might become how many of the remaining valves might have been getting close to have a similar problem?And, of course, it's always nicer for these things to happen reasonably close to home, as in this case.Please keep us posted on your further expeditions into the NailHead's innards.NTX5467 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick840 Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Hey Bill,Is this the same Riv you were going to drive to the Nationals after having the A/C done?Lucky escape if it was. (just trying to put a positive spin on things) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 (edited) Yuppy. Swallowed a valve. I hate it when that happens. You better have the head checked for cracks also. Stuff pounding around inside can do a lot of dammage. I'm with NTX5427. Have all the valves taken out and checked. In fact, tear the whole engine down. Clean and check everything. Leave no stone unturned. You will be all the happier for future reliability. Oh, and Spark plugs are the least of your worries sunshine. Dandy Dave! Edited November 10, 2013 by Dandy Dave (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted November 10, 2013 Author Share Posted November 10, 2013 Brian, Yes the same Riv I was going to drive to the Nationals. I am thankful it didn't happen in the middle of nowhere, Wyoming. Would have been and expensive tow home.My plans are to either go through this engine or replace it with already rebuilt 401 I have. BUT considering this head was a head I had built for afor mentioned 401, do I trust the other head ?Bad thing is, I don't remember if I replaced all the valves or not when I had the heads rebuilt. I am sure going to look now, no matter what I do.Going to pull the other head off after church today and see what it looks like and then the motor will be ready to come out when I have a chance. I will say this after working on it yesterday for 5 or 6 hours, I feel it today. My feet and shoulders are sore, not the same as sitting at a computer all day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 ....and I'm in Dallas this weekend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUKE Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Just think of how good you feel when you fimish the job and you are driving it around Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 Ahh heck Bill. I do this stuff all the time and ach all over anyway. Comes with the territory. Dandy Dave! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 42buickman Posted November 17, 2013 Share Posted November 17, 2013 Bill, you have what is called " TWO PIECE VALVES". Just heard about them the other day, and one came into the shop last week, and now another that you have. Must be something new. Good Luck, Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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