One of the folks here had the valve keepers come loose and put the valve through the piston. Was working on the wing last night, and got to thinking about this problem.
Over the years I have rebuilt many engines, mainly truck. Many years ago I built a few racing engines. There are a few reasons for valve keepers separate. A broke valve spring will do it. But what happens most of the time is high rpm, and the valve starts floating, meaning the valve spring isn’t expanding fast enough, generally caused by a weak valve spring. The valve stem actually comes out of the spring and the keepers separate.
Our wings are old, and with that age the valve springs weaken. I won’t run my wing over 6000 rpm for that very reason, I know the red line is 8000.
I have an 83 engine I’m rebuilding and I checked the valve springs last night, they all should be replaced, but most likely won’t be able to find new ones, so I will need to shim them.
I don’t know if any of you guys have had experiences like this.
Over the years I have rebuilt many engines, mainly truck. Many years ago I built a few racing engines. There are a few reasons for valve keepers separate. A broke valve spring will do it. But what happens most of the time is high rpm, and the valve starts floating, meaning the valve spring isn’t expanding fast enough, generally caused by a weak valve spring. The valve stem actually comes out of the spring and the keepers separate.
Our wings are old, and with that age the valve springs weaken. I won’t run my wing over 6000 rpm for that very reason, I know the red line is 8000.
I have an 83 engine I’m rebuilding and I checked the valve springs last night, they all should be replaced, but most likely won’t be able to find new ones, so I will need to shim them.
I don’t know if any of you guys have had experiences like this.