Great tech article on replacing those gaskets. My 235 just developed the very same miss and exhaust leak. I thought it was the donut so I replaced it, but the leak (noise) did not get any better. Then, upon closer inspection I saw the telltale black soot above number 5 exhaust port at the manifold. Now I know I will need number one son to come help me replace it. Guess I should order up those alignment rings just in case mine are absent as well once I take it apart. Thanks for the very clear description. Andy
I guess that Bilbo is a little too shy to publish the final results. When we last heard from him all was well except for " a couple of hydraulic lifters that won't pump up, but parts are on the way." He ordered a 4 pack of Hydraulic Lifters from Rock Auto. Then he drove his truck around town, doing errands, breakfast with the ROMEO club, etc for a few days. Once the lifters arrived, he pulled the valve cover and decided to find the 4 worst offenders by backing each adjustment out until that valve clattered continuously, tightening that adjustment slowly until the clatter went away and stayed away, then adding 1.5 turns to "center" the plunger in the lifter. Once he got done with all 12 valves he had a well running engine. Apparently a few days worth of operating like hydraulic lifters instead of solid lifters shook up the gunk inside and got them all operating as designed again. His truck used to sound like an IH threshing machine, now it runs quiet as his wife's SUV. Keep the new lifters Bill. Cheap insurance.
Oh yeah! What Bill said! I'm thinking about taking the muffler out,(even if it does have new bearings), just so I can hear it running. BTW. Don't know why I haven't learned this sooner, but I added zinc oil additive with the oil change a couple of days ago. If you're not doing this, you should be.
Guess I'll have to~ I just know I enjoy driving my truck everywhere! Did I miss the video of you driving your truck, Bilbo?
As mike said..... Also a scarcity of rectubular hex brackets and inverted nuts....... Glad to hear the leak is fixed , those intake rings are very important but can be a serious PIA when working alone....
I always appreciate your input! It's probably been hashed out before on this site, but what's the difference, Nate?
As of 2012, Shell Rotella T (a diesel rated oil) contained 1200 ppm of ZDDP. I've been using Rotella T in my GMC 228 truck since I bought it 3 years ago for this reason and because you can usually get it a WalMart for around $13 a gallon. Funny thing is the label doesn't mention ZDDP, nor can I find mention of it on a Shell web site. The 1200 ppm answer came in the form of a response from a Shell employee named Richard Moore to a query about ZDDP content.
Diesel rated oils are better for the life of your cam and followers . I don't want to begin another oil flame war here but using fairly thin multi - viscosity DIESEL RATED oils will make your Stovebolt outlast you . Remember : only and always change the oil and filter (every time!) when it's BLISTERING HOT or you're wasting your time .
