Rocker Assembly Sludge question

[Grocery_Getter]

I had a Oil leak at the valve cover and decided to replace the Valve Cover
Gasket. I was surprised to see all the build up around the valves and rocker assembly. Would you expect to
See this kind of build up with a engine this old. If so, what you recommend for removing this build up? Please see link to picture.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8_ ... directlink

 

[jtan540]

Take the head off, clean off whatever you can, take it to a shop and have them check it out. If everything is ok, replace the stem seals(you can do it yourself with a compressor or have the shop do it). In the mean time, take a look at your pistons and bores as well. From the looks of things, it appears your engine has never been rebuilt. When you get your head back, clean off whatever is left by spraying kerosene and scrubbing with a toothbrush(try to stay away from coarse brushes like stainless steel). Replace head gasket, valve cover gasket, and repaint. Good luck.

 

[rbohm]

8) thats not as bad as some i have seen. first start by changing the oil and adding seafoam and run the engine for about 20-30 minutes. then check and see how much things have changed. if not much then repeat except using three qts of diesel and let the engine idle for 20 minutes, then change the oil again.

 

[Anlushac11]

Are you running a thermostat?

 

[mannella]

, replace the stem seals(you can do it yourself with a compressor

Just curious but why would he need a compressor if he has the head Off?

 

[mannella]

One thing has been bothering me about your pictures is not so much the sludge but what appears to be rust on the rocker arm assembly. Could you be getting water into your crank case?

 

[JHPSTANG]

I thought I had it bad when I saw this:
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq20 ... 261010.jpg
I cleaned it up with a toothbrush and solvent and then changed the oil. Now it looks clean as a whistle, at least when I saw it last week on the way to a headgasket replacement!

 

[JackFish]

http://auto-rx.com/
I don't know if you're getting the bottom end cleaned, but if I were you I would run this product.
It works quite well at gently dissolving sludge, which is a good thing, because you don't really want some strong cleaner loosening up chunks of gunk at one time.

 

[fraso]

I would just clean the valve cover with varsol and replace it. I would then use a Heavy Duty Engine Oil to slowly clean the sludge. It's not pretty but it's not hurting anything if you don't disturb it.

Engine Oil Article