Valve Maintenance (Chevrolet Lumina 1)

1. Since valve servicing is a complex job and requires special tools and equipment, this job, commonly referred to as "valve rebuilding," should be performed by a specialist.

2. You can remove and disassemble the head yourself, perform a preliminary cleaning and inspection, then reassemble it and send it to an auto repair shop, where the valves will be ground in. Performing the inspection will allow you to assess the condition of the head and valve components and, therefore, determine how much work and what new parts will be required when servicing the valves in an auto repair shop.

3. The auto repair shop will remove the valves and springs, restore or replace the valve seats, restore the valve guides, check and replace the valve springs, turning mechanisms, spring plates and crackers (if necessary), the valve seals will be replaced, the valve parts will be reassembled and the height of the installed spring will be checked. If the mating surface of the cylinder head with the gasket is deformed, it will also be treated.

4. After high-quality regrinding of the valves, the characteristics of the head should be like a new one. After returning the cylinder head from the shop, be sure to clean it before installing it on the engine, removing any metal particles or abrasive dust that may have been left behind from servicing the valves or resurfacing the head. If possible, blow out all oil holes and passages with compressed air.