| Author |
Message |
    
donnie hamrick
Member
Username: donnie_hamrick
Post Number: 8
Registered: 07-2009
| | Posted on Sunday, September 06, 2009 - 11:08 pm: | 
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I have an 89 sunbird with a 302 5.0 cobra.Today I was criusing down the lake @ about 35mph and 4000rpm when suddenly it seemed like I backed off the throttle,it missed a few times and I shut it down.I checked for loose wires but found nothing,it started right back up for me and I enjoyed the rest of my day it just wasnt't running @ top performance.When I got home I checked plugs and found 2 plugs had almost like melted on the end in the block.Please any advice would be greatly apreciated.Thanks and Happy Boating. |
Morten Ringvold
Senior Member
Username: haffiman37
Post Number: 4196
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, September 06, 2009 - 11:38 pm: |
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Compression test first, but most likely some 'mushroom' valves that needs to be replaced.
Head job in the looming. |
donnie hamrick
Member
Username: donnie_hamrick
Post Number: 9
Registered: 07-2009
| | Posted on Monday, September 07, 2009 - 10:46 am: |
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Thanks Mr.Ringvold I had a compression test done on 8-18-09 and the compression was as follows 1=155 2=145 3=130 4=145 5=155 6=150 7=155 8=150.Hopefully these are ok readings,I really dont want to get into a head job. |
Morten Ringvold
Senior Member
Username: haffiman37
Post Number: 4199
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Monday, September 07, 2009 - 09:05 pm: |
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Was one of the melted plugs on cyl 3?
You may loosen all rockers and check if any of the valve stems are higher than the others when unloaded.
If any higher, that is where you have your mushroom valve. |
donnie hamrick
Member
Username: donnie_hamrick
Post Number: 10
Registered: 07-2009
| | Posted on Monday, September 07, 2009 - 09:20 pm: |
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Looking at the engine from in the boat it was the 2nd and 3rd plugs from the front on the left. |
Morten Ringvold
Senior Member
Username: haffiman37
Post Number: 4200
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Monday, September 07, 2009 - 09:37 pm: |
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Being a Ford that I think should be cyl 2 and 3.
Do a new comp test and get it verified.
Even suggest to remove the rockers and measure stem heights. |
donnie hamrick
Member
Username: donnie_hamrick
Post Number: 11
Registered: 07-2009
| | Posted on Monday, September 07, 2009 - 10:03 pm: |
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Thank You Mr.Ringvold I will look into these recomendations. |
harry arthur
Member
Username: arthur3
Post Number: 38
Registered: 08-2009
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 09, 2009 - 02:52 am: |
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Donnie, what did the other plugs look like. Were they white/grayish color at the tips or a tan/brownish color at tips.Also what part # plugs are you running. |
donnie hamrick
Member
Username: donnie_hamrick
Post Number: 12
Registered: 07-2009
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 09, 2009 - 09:13 pm: |
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The other plugs were tan/brownish color.I am not sure what plug part # I am running.My mechanic rechecked the compression again and nothing has changed.He did a leak down test and #2&3 leaked down @ 50 and 80,whatever that means???????He suggested I have my heads done at a cost of around 1500 on the high side.What do you guys think? |
makomark
Senior Member
Username: makomark
Post Number: 1427
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 09, 2009 - 10:48 pm: |
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I think I'd shop around unless your engine is in one of those tiny compartments....for that much money, you could get new heads, installed, and still buy beer at a football stadium. |
Morten Ringvold
Senior Member
Username: haffiman37
Post Number: 4217
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 09, 2009 - 11:10 pm: |
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Find a mech that does not drive a new Mercedes S class!!!!! |
harry arthur
Member
Username: arthur3
Post Number: 40
Registered: 08-2009
| | Posted on Thursday, September 10, 2009 - 01:06 am: |
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I will agree with them, swap out your heads for a set of reconditioned heads or have your heads reworked for $300-400. If you are mechanically inclined do the work yourself and save that book rate of 10 hrs @$65-70 an hr.Don't know where $1500 is coming from,someone eating good somewhere! |
donnie hamrick
Member
Username: donnie_hamrick
Post Number: 13
Registered: 07-2009
| | Posted on Thursday, September 24, 2009 - 11:05 pm: |
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Thanks for the advise.I really havent done anything with the boat except pick it up from the wealthy mechanic.I am taking everyones advise and shopping around or doing it myself.Does anyone recommend anyone around the Akron,Ohio area for the job. |
Hy Stat
Senior Member
Username: hystat
Post Number: 1502
Registered: 05-2007
| | Posted on Friday, September 25, 2009 - 09:06 am: |
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302 head reconditioning job should be ~$500 if you take the heads off yourself and take them to a reputable machine shop. |
Al
Advanced Member
Username: knuckle47
Post Number: 665
Registered: 09-2007
| | Posted on Friday, September 25, 2009 - 03:20 pm: |
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On my other engines in the spring of 2009, I paid $475.00 for Crusader 454 heads and the shop in NJ did one terrific job.( Eddies Valve Grinding ) Sorry, could'nt help it but when its good....ya gotta let someone else know it ! |
