HI all. I'm a newbie to the ram 1500 4.7L engine. I've had other rams in the past but most recently I bought a 2010 Ram 1500 SLT with the 4.7 for cheap knowing that it needed a head gasket. This afternoon I started the process of changing the head gaskets and as soon as I pulled the #8 exhaust side spark plug I knew trouble lay ahead. The angle piece on the bottom was curved over to the side. Once I pulled the valve covers off I had a rocker that was roaming around free and chunks of plastic around most valve springs. I came to realize that the plastic was the bottom part of the valve spring. My question is there a better option to replace them with? Any idea why that happened? Any suggestions on what else to look for. I haven"t got the head off the truck yet but it will be coming off and i will take to machine shop for pressure testing, cleaning and resurfacing.

 

I'm not real familiar with the 4.7. Hopefully someone else will post for you. My first concern would be the damaged spark plug. You need to determine why this happened and it may become apparent once the head is off. Plastic from the valve spring? ?? Never heard of this before but I could be wrong. Possible the plastic is actually broken valve stem seals? ? Get the problem head off and go from there. If it looks repairable I would consider removing both cylinder heads while you are that far into the engine. good luck. Keep us posted

 

I pulled the head and it appears I dropped a valve seat. Now to determine if the piston and cylinder is salvageable.

This is the number 8 cylinder piston.

 

I pulled the head and it appears I dropped a valve seat. Now to determine if the piston and cylinder is salvageable.

This is the number 8 cylinder piston.

 

I would say that piston is done.

 

The same piston is dead, and what look like the head ? A photo ? I think that the rocker break and valve fell donwn. You can keep old spring and change seal only without plastic it's most cheap. I just do it on mine 4.7L. Look at seat valve if it's not destroy.