Meganf

So under the covers one side is nice and clean. Passenger side is all black. Is this an indication of somethig? Also, there are three stuck lifters on that side. I plan on replacing all lifters and camshaft. Thanks for any input. I turn a good wrench but this is a learning process. I'm used to working on much smaller air cooled engines.

BuiltFordTuff13

Two words... Head gasket hahaha. Didn't want that to come off as rude but definitely seems like you've had a leaky gasket at some point. And if your concern is removing the gunk built up, I would suggest an oil additive. I think advance auto sells something called "stop slip" or something like that and it has a safe cleaner in it, but if it were me I would replace both sides with brand new rocker, rods, lifters, valves.. Etc. it all depends on how much of the almighty dollar you're willing to drop.

bubbabud

2 words pcv valve

Crownman

That can also happen at times if you have a gummed up oil drain from the head.

Meganf

I think I know the answer but I'm going to ask anyway, is it possible to pull the valve stems without pulling the heads? I wasn't planning on pulling the heads but since I'm already in there... The lifters and camshaft have already been ordered and delivered. Going to pick up a new pcv valve. For two bucks why not. The rods and rockers checked out okay.

Chris_1

iTrader: (1)

Motorcraft PCV valve only.
That gunk could be heat on one side, or maybe the head was changed on the other side, or maybe just the valve cover gasket was done and it was cleaned up then (the clean side is the easy side to get at) (it's also the side the clean oil always gets poured into).
Or a bad PCV valve on the dirty side as was mentioned.
There's really no way to tell for sure.
A wet / dry compression check would be a good idea just to make sure all is well, but I wouldn't get overly worried about it.
It is possible to change valve seals without pulling the heads, just a couple special tools required. The standard way is to pressure up the cylinder with air, but I saw where someone on here mentioned "the old rope trick" which I don't know the details of, but it sounds interesting and very feasible.

fltdriver

^^MOTORCRAFT ONLY^^ on the PCV valve. This is one of the few parts that are motorcraft only for this truck, which isn't so bad because they are still fairly cheap.

bubbabud

Yes you can change valve stem seal's without removing head. there are 2 methods I have used.
1 An adapter to feed compressed air in to the cylinder through the spark plug hole.
2 feed several inches of " clothes line rope" in through the spark plug hole and turn the engine over so the piston compresses the rope against the valves.
Either method will hold the valve closed so you can remove keeper's and springs