Sticky valves: what is the procedure?

Ok everyone, I poured a cup of kerosene into each cylinder, let it stand for a day, and started her again. As you said, lots of smoke, but an improved sound. However, still no power at all, couldn't even limp back into the garage. What now?
 
Pour in more kerosene and crank it over with the plugs out, so you can splash some onto the valve stems. Let it soak for a day or more, then use a bent screwdriver to try to push the stuck avles down. Make sure the cylinder is on TDC firing when you try to push that cylinder's avlaves down. If this fails to loosen the stuck valves, then I'd remove the side cover and lube the stems through the springs. Try to grab the stems with a thin Vice Grip and twist them back and forth a bit.
 
Agree with Mr. Tom W. -- repeat procedure -- had to do it (3) times on a vintage 1935 tractor stored for about (10) years -- 8 -12 cups, (about 3/4 of a gallon) of kerosene are an inexpensive fix & not as time consuming as pulling the head & performing a total valve cleaning & valve guide cleaning job -- if engine was out of operation for some time, sticky valves are caised by a thick brown gummy substance that is acting like a sticky glue & a sealer in the valve guides -- this gum deposit only needs to be dissolved & flushed out so oil can again enter the valve guides.
 
Am I on the right track about not having enough power? Is it MOST likely the valves, or what else should I be looking at?
By the way, there was no gas in the tank at all - the car had stood for about 20 years maybe even more. When I got her, I removed the gas tank and had it cleaned out properly because the reason she had stood for so long was corrosion in the gas tank. I have put a brand-new carburettor in as well
 
Kerosene is real good for unsticking things, but its a wonder that it cranked at all because of the low octane of the kerosene. I would first change the oil and check the points gap. I set my points at .022 . I would check the timing, watch out for clockwise backlash when the cam screw is tightened. Timing and points gap is usually the main cause of power loss .
 
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Twenty (20), years is a long time for volatils to evaporate from oil, gas & petroleum products -- similar to hanging an oil soaked rag on a clothes line for 20 years -- no oil left.
 
A further update on the sticky valves: I opened up the valve cover, and discovered three valves stuck open. Have sprayed plenty of WD40 around their stems, and will leave overnight.
Thanks once again for all the support and advice!
Regards
Mike
 
W(ater) D(isplacer)-40 is not a penetrating fluid, nor is it a lubricant. I think it has been successfully marketed as a "Do-All", when in fact, it does little.
 
BTW, one thing WD-40 is really good at is removing the sticky goo from labels and price stickers. I bought a microphone the other day at the secondhand store. After I peeled off the price sticker I had to use some WD-40 to remove the sticky goo left behind. It works great for this and won't hurt plastic, like gasoline would. It also makes a good hand cleaner without drying out your hands like gas would do.
 

OK boys. You have lost me with this [FONT=&quot]'mucilage'.
What is it and how does it help valves?
My dictionary says it is--

The wire hood holding the cork in a champagne bottle??

Manuel in Oz

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It doesn't help valves , it would either stick them or cause slow valve action . It is a glue that we used in elementary school , like the first grade. I believe it is made from dead horse tissue. Some first graders would sometimes eat the glue or flour type type paste that we all used. The glue is a natural compound and not poison. It would probably constipate if very much was eaten. Its been a long time ago, unlike some of the other children, I guess that I was too finiky to eat any of it..... You asked!!
 
Purdy Swoft said:
It doesn't help valves , it would either stick them or cause slow valve action . It is a glue that we used in elementary school , like the first grade. I believe it is made from dead horse tissue. Some first graders would sometimes eat the glue or flour type type paste that we all used. The glue is a natural compound and not poison. It would probably constipate if very much was eaten. Its been a long time ago, unlike some of the other children, I guess that I was too finiky to eat any of it..... You asked!!
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When I was in 5th grade I was putting a plastic model together one night. I put the tube of plastic glue in my back pocket and forgot about it. The next day at school while I was sitting at my desk the tube of glue came open and spread all over my pocket and desk seat. The odor started to spread throughout the classroom and all the kids started blaming Nancy Morgan for wearing too much perfume. I just kept my mouth shut.:D
 
I remember using airplane glue with model cars and such. The air plane glue gets hot when it starts to set. I'll bet it chaped your butt.. Insert smiley face. I remember spilling lacquer thinner on my pants when I first started doing body work. It started getting hot and I had to head for the house QUICK!!!!! to wash it off and get some more pants. I didn't get far before removing my pants , while still driving. I hoped that none of people in the cars that I met noticed. I got chapped pretty bad. Those were the days.
 

I remember the flour and water pasty stuff. It was pretty messy from memory. That was a lonnggg time ago :-)

Manuel in Oz
 
Manuel said:
I remember the flour and water pasty stuff. It was pretty messy from memory. That was a lonnggg time ago :-)

Manuel in Oz
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Oh! yes, Manuel, and why do we NOT remember the IMPORTANT stuff from school??? How have we miraculusly (sp?) made it in life?? Bill W.
 
Hi Bill,
I suppose the fun stuff is easier to remember than the serious subjects we had to sit thru.
By the time I was in high school I seemed to spend a lot of time day dreaming about the young female teachers that were trying to teach us :):)
Cheers,
Manuel in Oz
 
Good day everyone, I have GREAT news to report! I have finally got the old girl up and running, and this afternoon we took her for a drive around the block. She goes very well indeed!
I eventually went and bought a set of new valves, valve guides, and springs. Installed them, and this afternoon, success!
I just want to thank all of you who helped with advice and support. Keep it up, you guys are all great!
Now I just need to get the lights and hooter to work.....
Regards
Mike
 
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