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Posted by Sherman in Idaho [72.47.9.37] on Sunday, August 12, 2012 at 21:03:30 :
In Reply to: Valve Train Advice Needed posted by gmharris [71.105.35.169] on Sunday, August 12, 2012 at 20:26:57 :
Others are more experienced than I at this, but my thinking is that any valve problem will manifest as low compression, so you have nothing to lose by replacing the missing keepers, adjusting them so that there is some gap between the tappet and the valve, and trying a compression test, either leak-down or cranking depending on how together your motor is. Worst case scenario is you wasted a little time putting on a keeper and checking the compression. On the other hand, if you have other doubts about the engine, pulling the head is pretty easy on a flat-head and you're just out the $25 or so for a head gasket.
Have you been driving the truck in this condition, and if so, how did it run?
I wouldn't hazard a guess as to what the mechanic was up to. I don't see how a keeper could fall off unless the spring broke. If you don't know the history of the truck, maybe the "mechanic" got sick or died before he finished the last valve adjustment, and his kids sold the truck to whoever you bought it from. Anything's possible. I have some extra keepers if you need any. The missing ones likely did end up in the oil pan where they won't hurt anything.
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