99 OHV..pulled head...ugly!

[35Remmy]

OK, so after incurable pinging and recent cooling loss, I pulled the head on the side that was fouling the plugs BAD (white crusty deposits) in less than 1500 miles.

Lower intake manifold gasket looked fine( I replaced it like 6 months ago)...when I pulled the head...OUCH. Front and middle pistons covered with this tannish-colored-hard-as-cement-crusty deposits, back piston is covered in carbon and oil.

The head looks horrendous. The deposits around the intake/exhaust valves are like stalagmites protruding in spots...I mean, something is going on.

Head gasket looked OK (I think). Sending head off to the shop on monday.

2 of my pushrods were so worn on the tip (pushrod to rocker arm) what is supposed to be round has like 3 distinct faces to it.

I took pics and tried to post them but it says they're too large?

 

[35Remmy]

Sooo...how the HELL do I clean these deposits off of the piston tops?

Can I replace the pushrods/rockers without replacing the lifters?

 

[Cobraguy]

Turn the engine over by hand until the piston you want to clean is at TDC. Cover the intake valley with rags. Then take a gasket scraper and knock off the big chunks. Be very careful! Do not gouge the piston! You will create hot spots and pinging. After scraping, you can put a wire brush that mounts in a high speed drill to finish cleaning them, or get a scotch brite pad set up that mounts in a drill. They have differing courses that you can use to get just what you need. After it's all clean, take your shop vac and vacuum around the ring lands.

You can replace pushrods and rockers without replacing the lifters...but only if the lifter pocket is servicable. If your push rods have unacceptable wear patterns to the ends that went into the lifter, then it won't be long until the new pushrods look the same. But I'm betting you can get away with it. I would sure hope so...have you seen the price for OHV lifters??? My God...

Since you found such a mess on the one side, are you going to pull the other side too? I would sure recommend it why you are this far into it. Just a few more bolts...

 

[35Remmy]

Cobra...yeah I figure I'll pull the other side too and see how it looks.

Do you or anyone know of a decent remanufactured head place I can buy from? I'm in NY state and I need this head by Friday!!!

I'm not even chancing the original head...just to magnaflux is like 100$, and if it's bad I just wasted 100$.

 

[James909]

I've bought heads from Clearwater Cylinder Head and have no complaints. Their prices seem very reasonable and their customer service is good.

 

[35Remmy]

James...thanks a lot...they want 195.00...that's damn good!!!

Oh...it seems like it's a complete head (valve springs, valves, etc)...it's not just the bare casting, right?

 

[James909]

Yeah the heads are complete with the valves and springs but not the rocker arms.