smokes for a minute after new valve seals

[nert]

they can apply shop air (=>120psi) into a fitting that screws into the spark plug hole when both valves are closed. that will hold the valves up while they remove the springs and retainers. New seals are installed, valves reassembled, and onward to the next hole.

[t3rmin]

Or I've heard of people stuffing a long length of rope into the cylinder instead of using air. If you lose pressure somehow with the air method, then you're gonna have to tear the head off.

[nert]

Hey i know lets fill the cylinder using a grease gun, then put the spark plug back in. Or, how about a can of Insta-foam.
Seriously, i suppose rope, string, or the likes might work. Take a long time and be difficult to obtain good, even, total coverage. Air works fine, its usually performed with the piston at "top dead center" and if air is lost the valve can't fall in.

I don't think i would like stuffing rope or anything else packing my cylinder. On most automotive applications you can't even think about getting anything in a spark plug hole due to sightless access. Your lucky if you can get the spark plug back in. Most shops have big compressors, storage tank, and plenty of air to complete the job should there be a power failure. Air, is how we do it in the automative/truck business. Whats (2) fewer wheels?

[salty_monk]

I know some guys who've had good success with a 4 cyl car motor using rope....

See here for instructions.

http://nw.rhocar.org/seals.htm

[nert]

Interesting. I guess if it works on a Pinto, it must work on a Pinto. This ain’t no Pinto we are working on.
If you look at the photos from your link, the intake valve, exhaust valve , and spark plug hole, are all in (1) line on the Pinto. The cylinder head is flat and valves are in one plane. So the "rope trick" works. I do think the Pinto valve and spark plug line up is NOT common.

The spark plug hole on the GS is BETWEEN the intake and exhaust valve (to the left and to the right) and the combustion chamber is Hemi shaped. (you need a rope shaped like “Y” or “T” and some luck in properly locating it in the cylinder) I will stick with the air. Haven’t lost a valve yet. But if I ever work on a Pinto…..

[salty_monk]

Oh well, just a thought... as someone mentioned it. I've not had a GS engine open before so didn't know how they're laid out.

We used the pinto engines up until about 1992 in the UK, with injection on & everything...

I have one in my lotus replica.

Dan

[nert]

In the US, the Pinto is not very favorable or highly regarded as a means of transportation. It is good for laughs.