How can you tell if Valve springs are going bad?

[rs8018]

I just bought a 87GN with 70,000 on the clock. The car is totally stock except for exhaust. It seems a little flat as far as power goes and was wondering if a possible cause are valve springs?? any other ideas??? Help!!

thx
RS8018

 

[artrenee10]

I just bought a 87GN with 70,000 on the clock. The car is totally stock except for exhaust. It seems a little flat as far as power goes and was wondering if a possible cause are valve springs?? any other ideas??? Help!!

thx
RS8018

What power band is this "flatness" occurring at? Anything above 45-5k RPM if the car is feeling flat at that level a new set of Comp Cam 980's should pick it back up....Eh..Do the valve springs anyway even after 70k they are probably done....

 

[rs8018]

yeah the power starts off really well and then it just stays there...it really doesn't pickup in the higher R's. Is it a major job to change valve springs out on the car??

 

[rodman99999]

You may have a wiped cam lobe and lifter base also. On 109 blocks: One of the #3 cylinder's lifter bores is sometimes off just enough to not rotate the lifter like it's supposed to. Some are worse than others. If you decide to change the springs: While you're in there, pull the #3 lifters and check for excessive wear. If you've got that: You'll need a new cam too.

 

[artrenee10]

yeah the power starts off really well and then it just stays there...it really doesn't pickup in the higher R's. Is it a major job to change valve springs out on the car??

nah get the valvesprings tool from kirban's....makes it a lot easier...take about 2-4hrs roughly...