If Rings Don't Seat:

[jhv48]

Update: Pulled the heads off today and found all of the valves caked with oil. Seems to be running down the guides and dripping onto the pistons. When we pulled the engine down, each piston had a drop of oil on it. These heads were supposedly rebuilt with new guides and seals when we rebuilt the engine 4,000 miles ago. Needless to say, we're going to have a chat with the machine shop tomorrow. On another note, the cam is showing signs of wear and will need to be replaced along with the lifters before we put it back together. The good news is that the cylinders look like new. No need for a hone and re-ring. Good news/bad news!

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Jim, I think if it wasn't for bad luck, you'd have no luck at all.........any rebuild should last longer than 4000 miles........

Maybe you stated it earlier, but what oil pump do you have,standard volume or high volume???

If the valves are caked with oil and I've seen this before it is either your guides or seals or a combo of both,the heads will need to be checked out thouroughly......

And I'd still run a hone down each cylinder if nothing else the type you attach to a drill,just to make sure there is no glazing on the cylinder walls.....

Cam/lifters showing enough wear to be replaced after 4000 miles,(what type cam/lifters) something isn't right here, I think I'd find another machine shop/engine builder...

David

[jhv48]

The cam wasn't replaced at the original rebuild. It was removed and sent to Schneider cams for inspection. Found to be fine at the time. Not sure if the oil pump is regular or high volume.

The valve guides definitely shouldn't be leaking after 4000 mikes. I'll have more info on the heads in a day or two.