Puff, Puff, Puff!

[dalebwilson]

Thank you shadetree. Let me check it out a little and I may take you up on that.

[shadetree]

It would be cheaper but shipping is going to kill .

[dalebwilson]

Update: Upon removal of head, found burned exhaust valve on #4.

See pic:

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag381/dalebwilson/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-01/FEBD9AB4-DF14-464A-98C9-D9E789574963_zps7womgbqt.jpg

New head from shadetree to be installed as soon as the frozen tundra goes back where it came from.

[crazyrog17]

Eeeew. Glad to see some progress, glw the head swap

[dalebwilson]

Update: The Car runs like new and idles smooth at 23 in vac. The exhaust now sounds smooth with no smoke or fumes. The donor head mentioned above was deemed unusable so here is what I did:

-Removed the original head and cleaned thoroughly with purple power, replaced 2 burnt exhaust valves, lapped all valves, replaced hard crusty valve stem seals, camshaft seal and reassembled.

-Soaked the piston rings for a week. Kept tops of pistons covered with sea foam and MMO while alternating both and rocking the pistons up and down.

-Replaced front crankshaft seal, timing belt and tensioner.

-Removed valve cover tunnel cover and cleaned thoroughly. Replaced PCV valve.

-Replaced head gasket, installed refurbished head, replaced all coolant hoses, refilled with antifreeze, clean engine oil, one quart of Rislone and new filter.

I plan on checking compression numbers soon and setting ignition timing as well. Thanks to all who helped on this thread and special thanks to Shadetree for helping me offline.

[Aaronbrook37]

Wonderful! So happy to hear that you're making good progress. Sounds like very thorough and meticulous work. I bet your compression numbers are going to be phenomenal now.

[shadetree]

Sound like a job well done !

[Flyin4stroke]

that's not a burnt exhaust valve. This is a burnt exhaust valve. J/k they're all burnt!

[dalebwilson]

Update: Checked ignition timing today and didn't even have to move the distributer. With ST1 grounded, #1 one is firing at -10 deg BTDC at 700 RPM. For anyone attempting to check their ignition timing, it is very difficult to see the indicator and pulley marks with the VAF assembly in place. I ended up removing the passenger headlight to gain access to shoot with the timing light.

[dalebwilson]

Update: Averaging 44 MPG's driving over 2 mountains each day. Festy has power to climb the mountain roads with ease in 4th gear....had to climb in 3rd gear before the work was done at 40MPH. The engine oil remains clear and is not contaminated by leaking valve seals, stuck piston rings and excessive blow-by.