To start off, I have an 03 5.7 hemi 2500. 209k on the clock. I pulled into work a while back and it sounded like a panhandler cup asking for money... so I am putting money into it.


I started with plugs and coils. 6 out of 8 coils fell apart when I removed them, not a good start. Plugs were gapped to 100ish. I bought the truck with 206k, wasn't expecting it to be new, but was hoping maintained as it was a service truck for a grain company.


After this didn't work I had it towed home. Ordered some cheap valve springs off rock auto... (shh, I don't want to drop too much in it). I pulled the passenger valve cover and BAM, broken spring. Thought I was lucky to find it right away. Couldn't have been more wrong. One of the keepers was missing, the valve was dropped, I pulled it up with a pen magnet but it felt tight as it slid up to seal..... now this is where I am, most likely a bent valve stem. With the missing keeper, is it in my oil pan? Or somewhere worse?


Soo after this long story. Suggestions on moderately cheap parts to rebuild the heads, I am assuming that this is my next step. I have looked at most online sites ( summit, jegs, auto zone, advance, orylies. even ebay and amazon) all about the same, limited info and scattered prices. Seems they don't like early gen3 hemis.


I have read posts on here about contacting some guy in Texas, his website doesn't work.


So now I am all ears (eyes).


Thanks for the input in advance.


Pit

 

if you can remove and replace the heads...

get prices from machine shops.. to rebuild heads.. (BOTH).
at 200k .. valves, springs, valve guides and seals. gasket set.

otherwise its to a service garage.

I have NEVER found a commercial vehicle well maintained... except for Semi-trucks.
and I was in the industry for 43 years. my opinion.

 

You may find piston damage when you pull the heads. When my 03 dropped a valve, metal made its way into both engine banks and it needed an entire rebuild...

 

I had started tearing the top of the motor down and went to remove the exhaust manifold on the passenger side. Are they suppose to be tight against the frame? Seems impossible to remove the lower bolts without jacking the motor up.

 

Not in my 1500. Maybe different in a 2500 ??? See pics in my thread titled...
pics of broken exhaust manifold bolts

 

Thanks, looks like it would be a good idea to get replacement bolts also.