quote Originally posted by Wafflez: How the hell would they get from the heads into the oil pan? The oil passages arent that big.

Not only that, you would think that these pieces would just sit on the bottom of the heads due to the oil causing a suction cup affect on the flat sides and not really float around with the oil flow.

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 04-26-2008).]

quote Originally posted by IMSA GT: To really check these, you would have to pull the heads and then each valve spring to see if they are intact. They are hidden in the lower part of the spring against the heads. At that point, you might as well change your pistons and rebuild the motor

There is no need to pull the heads to remove the valve springs, just the valve covers and rocker arms.

Just to clarify, what the spring dampener does is to prevent the free coils in the middle of the valve spring from developing an up and down vibration; they do this by rubbing the spring coils. If a few of the ears are broken loose they likely will have no effect whatsoever on the engine performance or reliability. Also, these may be left overs from a previous rebuild. If this were my engine my first task would be to pull the valve covers and inspect the springs. Since the engine is running well and not making unusual noises, and since these pieces are far too large to fit through the pickup screen, I would have no real concerns with driving the car.

JazzMan

Edit - gotta read all the posts before responding...

Thanks Jazzman! Plus to you and the other people who have helped!

[This message has been edited by yellowstone (edited 04-27-2008).]

quote Originally posted by JazzMan: Since the engine is running well and not making unusual noises, and since these pieces are far too large to fit through the pickup screen, I would have no real concerns with driving the car.

what he said

I am just curious how they broke off. Can't see them just dropping off unless some sort of valve work had been performed.

Vibration does many wonderous and mysterious things....

Have you taken the valve covers off yet? Seems like a small thing to do to check before you start it up and run the autobaun again.
Maybe take the pan off?
Have you done a compression check?

ANYTHING found in the pan should raise a red flag and be investigated.
hope you figure it out!

quote Originally posted by Mark A. Klein: Vibration does many wonderous and mysterious things....

So I've been told by a few women.

quote Originally posted by Patrick: So I've been told by a few women.

Your women need vibrators?

More an issue of... variety.

Try it, your gal will love you.

quote Originally posted by Patrick: More an issue of... variety. Try it, your gal will love you.

That is the Truth!!! Show up with one and enjoy!

Yellowstone, I too would recommend pulling the V/C off and inspecting the valve train. May be a PITA but rather find the issue in the driveway rather then fly down the autobaun doing a buck fifty.

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I take it that to unmount them, you have to take the heads off? Is there some kind of tool that will unmount from the top side after the rockers are taken off?

Sorry, didn't see the page 2 yet before my post. but here's a picture anyway

[This message has been edited by unboundmo (edited 05-01-2008).]

quote Originally posted by unboundmo: I take it that to unmount them, you have to take the heads off? Is there some kind of tool that will unmount from the top side after the rockers are taken off?

You preasurize the cylinder with air. Then there is a tool (sort of a prybar) that you compress the spring with. Release the keeper and pull the spring.

quote Originally posted by Electrathon: You preasurize the cylinder with air. Then there is a tool (sort of a prybar) that you compress the spring with. Release the keeper and pull the spring.

I've done this before on a SBC.

[This message has been edited by DeLorean00 (edited 05-01-2008).]

quote Originally posted by Electrathon: There is no need to pull the heads to remove the valve springs, just the valve covers and rocker arms.

I could not get the pressurize thing to work for me. Heres how I did it.

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/089685.html

[This message has been edited by sjmaye (edited 05-02-2008).]

quote Originally posted by sjmaye: I could not get the pressuriae thing to work for me. Heres how I did it.

^ that's how i do it too.
i dont trust the air pressure, if a valve drops in the cylinder... you're screwed.

but again, since we are pretty sure they came off the valve spring resonators, i'll would just keep driving it