235 possible burnt valve, can I rebuild just the head?

[coachie]

Hello,

About 6 months ago I purchased a 1959 Chevy 3100 with a 1956 235 and 4 speed granny. The truck had been sitting 2-3 years, but after a bunch of work I've got it running pretty well now, with a few exceptions. It likes to smoke out of the breather at high rpms, it doesn't idle well below ~700, and it has an erratic pop from the tail pipe. I did a compression test, the #1 cylinder is ~90, and the rest are in the 120-130 range.

My question is, I know generally you rebuild the entire motor at one time, but funds are a little short right now, so can I just rebuild the head? I'm planning to have it decked and replace the valves, seals, and springs. Do I need to replace the push rods, lifters and cam too? Outside of hardened seats, anything else I should ask the machine shop to replace/upgrade while they have the head?

Thanks for all the help,

Vince

[_Ogre]

welcome to the forum

i've been so broke that i rebuilt only the one valve.
head job only is very common, but chances are the smoke out of the breather is your rings.
do the head, you don't have to pull the motor to do it.
but plan on doing the bottom end eventually.

i'd wait on the lifters and cam until i pulled the motor.
yes on hardened seats but it will cost you, if you plan on low miles per year, you might get by without seats. (i'd do them)

and post some pics, because...

[coachie]

Thanks Ogre for the reply.

According to the previous owner, the motor was rebuilt 20K miles ago. Judging by the smoke and low compression in one cylinder I don't think so, but when I pull the head off I think I'll be able to tell. The cylinders should have a cross-hatch and minimal ridge, correct?

My plan is to pull the head, have it done, and hope for the best while saving for the worst.

Thanks again, and I'll post some pics when I get home.

Vince