I think I might have found the source of my valve issue

[black2002ls]

I was changing the battery on my truck today and got to noticing some things with the exhaust manifold. Thought I would give it a look and see if there were any cracks or other issues with it. Something that might have caused a burned valve, since the mechanic says I have a valve issue. As I was going over it, I noticed a couple of things missing. The two exhaust manifold bolts for the very front of the manifold are missing.





As far as I know, the head has never been off of this truck, granted I got it used in 2006 and it had 42K on the odometer. I have never had the exhaust manifold removed either. Is there anyone else "missing" those front bolts top and bottom?

[black2002ls]

There also appears to be some carbon build up right there in the center of the port.

[JimD]

Is it broke off in the head or missing completely, ive seen both happen on untouched cars ive done motor jobs on. Did a motor swap on a 99 F150. passenger side lift lug just laying on the manifold.

[shumpertdavid]

unless it's a major exhaust leak right there, I doubt it's enough to cause a valve issue. Like JimD said most likely broke the bolt or stud off or they vibrated out. Take a small screw driver and see if you can stick it in far enough to tell if it's broken or missing.

[black2002ls]

No bolts in the upper and lower hole. No fragments no nothing

I'll put up a picture of the plug that came out of #1 later

[black2002ls]

Here is a pic of a couple of plugs that I've pulled out of #1 over the last couple of months

[black50]

thats looks oil fouled

bad valve seals..Does it smoke on start-up after it has sat all night?

[black2002ls]

thats looks oil fouled

bad valve seals..Does it smoke on start-up after it has sat all night?

I haven't noticed. The exhaust dumps under the bed.

[shumpertdavid]

Has it been fouling that plug, a cranking compression, running compression, and leak down test will tell you if you've got a compression problem(worn rings or valve problem)

[black2002ls]

Has it been fouling that plug, a cranking compression, running compression, and leak down test will tell you if you've got a compression problem(worn rings or valve problem)

Yes, its been fouling that plug. I had a shop do a test and they confirmed it was a valve issue. I'm trying to decide if I want to pull the head and have it worked, or if I want to just replace the whole head. I've found one with 80K miles on it, that I can probably get for $125. Now it just depends on what it will cost to get the head swapped

[homealone]

I've found one with 80K miles on it, that I can probably get for $125. Now it just depends on what it will cost to get the head swapped

What kind of truck is it? Before you buy a used one, check out Cylinder Heads International on Jefferson in Grand Prairie. http://www.headsonly.com/contact.htm

They exchange your head for a rebuilt one, no waiting. I've been using them for years and have always been satisfied.
Everything I've had done ran between $150 and $200.

[lowthreeohz]

What kind of truck is it? Before you buy a used one, check out Cylinder Heads International on Jefferson in Grand Prairie. http://www.headsonly.com/contact.htm

They exchange your head for a rebuilt one, no waiting. I've been using them for years and have always been satisfied.
Everything I've had done ran between $150 and $200.

Do they buy as well? Got a set of 5.7 hemi heads i could stand to unload.

[black2002ls]

I'll call them on my way back to work. Whats the typical charge to have a head replaced?

Also, I didn't notice any white smoke this morning when I cranked it up. It had been sitting since about 2 PM yesterday. Although, its a 5 spd, so I can't crank and look under the truck at the same time. Is it going to be a "puff" of smoke, or will it smoke for a few cycles?

[homealone]

I'll call them on my way back to work. Whats the typical charge to have a head replaced?

As in labor to remove? If so, they only rebuild heads. No remove and replace.

[mustgofaster]

What kind of truck is it? Before you buy a used one, check out Cylinder Heads International on Jefferson in Grand Prairie. http://www.headsonly.com/contact.htm

They exchange your head for a rebuilt one, no waiting. I've been using them for years and have always been satisfied.
Everything I've had done ran between $150 and $200.

I just got a head from them for my wife's Focus. Can't say much about the quality yet, since I havn't finished putting it back together, but the price was descent... $300.00 W/ exch, cam, lifters & rockers installed.