1968 HEMI Stroker Drops Valve - Can It Be Saved?

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Nick loves the legendary Hemi engine, and he has built more than a few over the years. Today, he is about to take apart a big 572 Hemi stroker that dropped a valve. Will there be anything left to rebuild?
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[@nickpanaritis4122]

It may be a 426 or 472 C.I. Bore is 4.280. No way a 572. Just to let everyone know.

[@jimmyford796]

4.5” bore 4.5” stroke makes 572ci

[@gtsman6954]

@@jimmyford796 It's an original block 4.25 bore std, max .06 over.

[@JalopyTechnology]

Lighter valves, new springs and lighter pistons would all help with durability. Great engines....I worked at Mopar dealers from '68 until '72.

[@fortyshooter1]

Well maybe enough left in bores to clean up? Play hard Pay hard. Man what destruction and cost one valve can do!

[@nickpanaritis4122]

@@jimmyford796 ....That is correct.

[@Mike-Olds-1]

WOW that re-defines the term “valve float”

[@dewiz9596]

As per Clint Eastwood. . .”Every man’s gotta know his limitations “

[@NicksGarage]

Right on.

[@michaelmartinez1345]

@Dewiz , Great Movie !!! Magnum Force!!! One of my favorite Harry Callahan movies!!!

[@sampayette4921]

This channel really helped me grow closer to my dad

[@davidedgar2818]

I've only seen that kind of damage in a turbo charged engine. It is astounding that those pieces flowed through all of those cylinders. WOW!

[@brianreynoldson1965]

Heck of a "post mortem " on a Hemi. When any internal combustion engine "goes away ", it always tells a story. This was a very interesting story. Merci, Nick.

[@genesimons8368]

Could see that spark in Nick's eyes when he first mentioned figuring this engine out. The man enjoys a challenge! Such an interesting episode! Thank you Nick and George, you made my day.

[@onedayiwillmakesomecontent]

I can just imagine Nick doing this in the back alley, back in the day, with old school tools! So good to see a master at work!

[@I.Live4oldcars.prospecting]

Wow that's alot of damage. That Hemi is Hurting bad. First for me seeing a Hemi taking apart. I learnt alot.

[@NicksGarage]

Right on.

[@glennk1931]

It is so devastating to see such an iconic engine suffer this kind of damage. Especially due to its age. I have loved Mopar cars since I was a teenager. The 426 Hemi was my all time favorite. When I was a kid in high school, there were a couple of Hemi cars in the hood. A 68 Charger, and a 68 Coronet. The sound of those engines even at idle was incredible. Hope this Hemi can be saved.

[@nitr0junki3]

If you have only one takeaway from this video, it’s that “it doesn’t matter”.

[@Mike-ie6ee]

I'm glad you're okay Nick. This teardown made me nervous

[@mynameis9057]

I'm somewhat baffled as to how that broken valve made it to the opposite side of the engine. Race Hemis don't have single exhaust, so I don't expect it travelled to the other side that way, so it must've went out up into the intake manifold and visited all of its kin,then up and out of almost every cylinder . That's really one for the books I say!!!! I've seen my share of grenaded engines and rods through the block and such, but I've never seen a visiting valve like that ever before this!!! WOW 😮!!! Thanks for sharing this with us Nick.

[@Sherlock067]

Wow that valve really moved around Nick. Never have I seen this before. Can’t wait to see in the crankcase next! Thanks Nick👍

[@NicksGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@michaelmartinez1345]

@Sherlock, I'm guessing here, but the broken valve appears to have made social visits in all but 2 combustion chambers before the engine finally quit turning... Maybe it is still in the intake manifold, maybe it fell out of the intake when it was removed.... What I'm wondering about now is what You are wondering about, damage to the bottom end... We'll find out!!!

[@dwightducker9891]

Nick you are a master. Your tear down videos are so educational. Thanks

[@NicksGarage]

Glad you like them!

[@shadvan9494]

I had something similar happen on an LS7 454 big block chevy in a drag boat in the early 90's. valve let go, broke in half, part of it embedded in the piston and destroyed the head and piston and broke the cylinder walls when the piston split. the other half was sucked up the intake track, threw the tunnel ram and crossed over to the other side of the engine wedging it between the good intake and open chamber causing the piston to smack and bend that intake valve. almost the entire motor was junk since it cracked both heads, broke the cylinder wall on one cylinder. If i remember correctly, i was only able to salvage the tunnel ram, and crankshaft from that engine. I also remember keeping the oil pan and oil/water heat exchanger. but everything else was junk.

[@ck4181]

Funny you mention the LS7 big block because the modern day LS7 has had issues dropping valves.

[@shadvan9494]

all Big Block Chevys are known for having valve train issues. having big valves combined with them being canted toward each other and angled push rods and heavy is a recipe for valvetrain issues. I was unaware that modern LS engines had this problem as well.

[@kurtzimmerman1637]

when a valve drops its always heartbreaking! happened to me 40 years ago! thanks for the video Nick!

[@NicksGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@P_RO_]

If it's low RPM there's a slender hope of re-making a usable engine again. Anything beyond that is miracle territory.

[@BobbyTucker]

I had one drop on my Chevy 409/425 back in 1968, sleeves were involved there too.

[@wickedcabinboy]

@kurtzimmerman1637 - That ain't all a dropped valve breaks. Sometimes it's the bank.

[@tomnekuda3818]

I forgot just how monsterous those engines are!

[@NicksGarage]

They sure fill up a room!

[@timothyhays1817]

Hence, the Nickname the Elephant Engine.

[@stevelee5724]

They sure are monsters ! Especially when Nick leans on it you can see the size !

[@BobbyTucker]

One really remembers how monsterous they are when one opens up all eight barrels, lol. Reply

[@stevelee5724]

@BobbyTucker Gday Bobby. Yes Mate, wouldn't that be fun... Cheers from New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@fredcrook8228]

"Nick Vs. The Engine That Ate Itself" 😁

[@NicksGarage]

Haha! Horror movie.

[@BobbyTucker]

@@NicksGarage , What a thriller that would be! lol!

[@eugenecastles7475]

A Monday afternoon, and a wounded Hemi in the shop for some TLC. I have never seen a dropped valve cause so much damage inside an engine. I expected to see what was left of the valve imbedded in the top of the piston, like what Nick showed from his brothers Hemi. Now I'm wondering what the bottom end is going to look like when Nick removes the rotating assembly, and what bits, and pieces are in the oil pan. Great video George!! I always enjoy the teardown videos, they are very informative. You just never know what will come through the door of Nick's Garage, the best KZbin channel on the net.

[@NicksGarage]

Thanks for the visit, Eugene. You're the best. We hope you have a great week.

[@eugenecastles7475]

@@NicksGarage We are in the middle of a Texas heat wave, with the daytime temps well over 100F, and the heat index around 115F. I think I finally got my computer issues solved. Thank you George, I hope that you have a great week too.

[@wickedcabinboy]

@eugenecastles7475 - If you look closely you might see small bits of the valve embedded in the no. 4 piston. I wasn't certain but we didn't get the kind of close up that Eric gives.

[@darrenbrisson4336]

Love the old stories nick letting people know youre not new at this Canada's mopar guru

[@burlboone4288]

Nick you never disappoint, I always learn something when I watch your videos. Thank you Nick & George 😊

[@nickpanaritis4122]

Love to hear it !

[@teamshem3853]

When I was a young lad, my Dad bought a used motor home and he and I drove to the great state of Texas. Just outside of San Antonio a keeper came loose and the 318 sucked a valve at freeway speed. Cracked the block in 3 places.

[@MM_in_Havasu]

Dang, that engine did a BIG potty! Ouch! Thanks Nick for a great teardown video!

[@Z-Bart]

Jim from Ontario you sent your engine to the right man. Nick will get her running top notch again.

[@BobbyTucker]

How does the saying go? "Horsepower is money, how fast do you wanna go"? lol.

[@tomtheplummer7322]

It’s not how fast you go, it’s how you go fast.

[@ImgoneButUrstillHere]

This has to be the only car channel that uses music just like they do in the movies lol luv it!

[@nickpanaritis4122]

Glad you love it!

[@coreyshort9461]

Take a good look around in the intake for the valve pieces....🧐

[@NicksGarage]

There were tiny bits all over the place.

[@gcrauwels941]

It's almost like the valve head shattered into small pieces before migrating between cylinders. Some of the pistons looked like they had fragments imbedded on top.

[@JS-tu1ti]

Nick, It is great watching you work. Thank you for making these videos. I enjoy listening to your thought process as you debug problems!!!! - J

[@oldman454]

Out of the three factory big blocks there is nothing more badass in the 426 HEMI AND THAT'S A FACT JACK 🤤

[@glenbrannon7224]

Thanks , enjoy watching you tear Hemis down and put them together!

[@cpnolto]

Great content Nick. I was worrying about your Kowalski car if that spring launched across the shop! Glad you moved the engine stand.

[@brand-x7049]

Lordy, that valve must have shattered and blown shrapnel through the whole intake manifold... o!O

[@moosemanmagee4495]

My grandma said but don't kill you just makes you stronger! This engine sould be a beast in the end.

[@NicksGarage]

Your grandma sounds to be very wise.

[@pappy017]

Evenin Mr Nick an George! Have a Great Week!!

[@NicksGarage]

Thanks, you too!

[@lelandcox4089]

I watched some guys getting ready for an upcoming race and just warming up a big block Chevy. The motor was not being abused but it made a loud pop! We followed them back bo their garage and watched as they took the motor apart to see what happened. It appeared from the debris that the motor had dropped a valve head. The pieces traveled through the motor quickly and did a lot of damage! The parts on top of the pistons cracked the top of a couple pistons and cracked both heads! They took off the oilpan the next day and descovered a crack in one of the webbs on the block and a broken crankshaft. VERY EXPENSIVE POP!

[@jeffjankiewicz5100]

Wow, I forgot how big the "elephant" engine is. Definitely has malice in the combustion palace. That valve took a trip around the engine. I hope you can save it Nick. Thanks Nick and George for taking us along.

[@wickedcabinboy]

@jeffjankiewicz5100 - Another fan of Eric's, I see. That's precisely what I thought when he spoke of a dropped valve. Hope he posts a video of the bottom end as he dismantles it.

[@netgnostic1627]

Nick, great video. Fascinating story this engine tells. I hope you'll make more videos showing the repair and rebuild of this engine.

[@nickpanaritis4122]

Glad you enjoyed it !

[@paulbergin4239]

Definitely a fun episode to watch. Good work.

[@rosewhite---]

what a beautiful engine! solid iron to last forever . hope we will see and hear hemis on the road for decades to come!

[@FrankBullitt390]

For Hemis Only was another premier Canadian hemi shop, but he has recently relocated to Florida and was having trouble finding staff last I heard.

[@NicksGarage]

Envious of their weather.

[@HiTechOilCo]

@@NicksGarage - You probably aren't envious of snakes, mosquitoes, killer bees, killer ants, alligators, hurricanes every year destroying homes, tropical diseases, flat terrain and swarms of illegal aliens. Count your blessings. :)

[@wallace3953]

Absolutely incredible....you are the very Best! can't wait to hear it run again, making huge power! Rock On!!!! wow!

[@newportbeach3621]

Anything can be saved if ur working on it . Nick knows his stuff wish you were close to me .

[@rickyb2200]

Wow , Nick I've seen a valve head go go from cylinder to others , what a mess. But it's no problem for the King of Mopar. Thanks for letting us be part of the year down .

[@tomstrum6259]

Great Presentation & Fantastic content video !! .....Keep 'em Coming Nick !!!

[@bobdavis3357]

Had to see this video again. Nick is the Man!

[@tomcox2565]

That’s amazing how that piece of valve worked it’s way through the whole damn top end! And it still hasn’t been found.

[@alanpaulick7815]

Thanks for sharing your content Nick. Take care

[@Australia-ky7kx]

It was like a detective novel, a' who done it' escapade into a mechanical mystery. I've never seen a happy wander of a valve causing chaos as it travelled around the engine. But our inspector Nick solved the puzzle.

[@myhemirr]

Years ago, I dropped an intake valve on #2 cylinder when power shifting 2nd gear at 7200 rpm. It poked a hole in the piston and head. The head of the valve was found in cylinder 3. Fortunately, it did not suffer the carnage that this Hemi did.

[@bobdavis3357]

If ANYONE can save this Hemi, it's Nick!

[@stevepastore7970]

I just wonder if there was any damage inside the intake manifold from all that metal bouncing around? Great video Nick and George thank you!!!

[@marzsit9833]

if the manifold has a vacuum balance crossover it could still have some valve and piston debris stuck in the passages. without a crossover only cylinders 1, 7, 4 and 6 would have damage, but cylinder 8 also had damage so i suspect there is a crossover in it.

[@joeromanak8797]

We know pistons, heads and cylinders took a hit but I also wondered about collateral damage to intake manifold and exhaust ports. Will we locate the missing valve head? Is the internal damage worse than first imagined? Can this patient be saved? Tune in next week for the next exciting episode of “Dr. Nick Follows the Damage Trail”

[@grizz2532]

You know its bad when Nick says, "Oh my Gawd!"

[@stephenhood2948]

When you turned the engine to remove the rocker shafts it reminded me of what happened to a guy I used to work with. He was cutting the exhaust off of something with a cutting torch, spraying slag everywhere. Some hot slag got in a nearby trashcan and caused a fuel filter in the trashcan to catch on fire and put pit marks all over the windshield of the Mercedes on the left next to him. You have to be careful. At that same shop I was taking the trans pan off of a Dodge Ram pickup and the pan was stuck on. I had taken all the bolts out and couldn't pull it off so I went to get a mallet, I should have put a couple bolts in the pan, the pan came off and dumped nasty ATF all over the car next to where I was working. You do have to be careful with things like that.

[@trybriguy1357]

I have in my tool box, a black hose that fits the spark plug that's been in there since 1972 when I first started working on motors. Not a tool but, a hose that fits over the spark plug. As I was working on pulling the spark plugs, I wanted to make sure I didn't put the wires on the wrong plugs when putting it back together. My mom was hanging clothes on the clothes line so I went over and I stole 8 clips. Just the right size and the hole in the clothes pin was perfect for the width of the wire. I labeled them R1234 and L1234 and I've used them for years!!

[@joeljenkins2876]

Looking at that hemi on the stand makes it easy to understand how it earned the nickname ‘elephant’!!!!! But, no matter, I’m sure Dr. Nick can save it!!!! He’s the hemi guru!!!!!

[@billsprague9783]

Nick, I just found your channel, I am really enjoying.what you do and how you do it. I have subscribed to your channel and rang the bell. Thank you for how you are educating the public.

[@nickpanaritis4122]

Thank you for your kind words!

[@fw1421]

I’ve never seen damage like that. Amazing!🙀🙀🙀

[@NicksGarage]

We could not believe our eyes either.

[@mikebaker9574]

You should visit the drag races more often lol

[@wickedcabinboy]

@@mikebaker9574 - Or "I Do Cars" on YT. Eric has shown us some spectacular failures.

[@scottd4426]

What a wizard you are Nick ! knowing enough to turn the engine and which direction a broken valve spring is going to fly ! your a pleasure to watch work .

[@Cultofpersonality09129]

😂

[@nickpanaritis4122]

Appreciate it!

[@bushmain]

If you're not trying hard enough, you'll never break anything. LOL

[@peteloomis8456]

There used to be a old racers saying that if your not breaking parts your not making enough horse power I remember reading .

[@darrinfry2251]

Love to see this 80 thousands over with bigger valves plus port work oh yeah .

[@Ghostdog4]

Friday night, blue sky but a rainy weekend predicted. Take my motorcycle out or watch Nick tear down a Hemi and sort out the problem?? No contest, I'm watching Nick.

[@Rotttman]

Very informative Nick

[@NicksGarage]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@deanehammitt7604]

That's the craziest thing I've ever seen an engine do.

[@lucascady4992]

Can we just admire the 60's era Hemi with 17 bolt's per head? They apparently knew they were holding back a Monster!!!

[@SHILO750]

My friend, you obviously know what you’re doing!!

[@slickrick5735]

That valve went on a world tour!

[@dickdaley9059]

I recall a friend who purchased a 1969 Coronet R/T with the same cross ram intake. Never saw one before. I understand it was a Dodge show car. Black with red interior under a black vinyl roof. It was spectacular! Automatic transmission would chirp rear tires under light throttle. Everything was stock from the factory. This was fifty years ago and I often hoped that beautiful beast was still with us!

[@mongrelhalfbreedobern]

The valve's farewell tour

[@davewilkirson2320]

I have been through this several times. Strange things can happen when disentegration begins. It is always a mystery until the entire engine is opened. Sort of fun really. But can get really expensive.

[@edwardweisenburg16]

Awesome content !!!! Only on Nick's garage 😊

[@NicksGarage]

More to come!

[@windycityben4850]

That’s wild how that valve just bounced around from cylinder to cylinder! Looking forward to see what this customer does with this project.

[@joedonnelly9487]

Oh my gosh!!! Another very intruiging vid from the Master....Dang... Mystery is a fair way to describe this one... Great job Nick!!

[@ThePontiacgto65]

This valve in the piston a true work of art😮

[@The_Kman]

Thanks Nick!

[@stevewaterhouse3025]

love the forensic stuff!

[@ericball6000]

Dr. Nick, like you all ways say, you never know what is coming through the door next!, cheers.

[@theodoredugranrut8201]

Thanks Nick. Central California watching

[@NicksGarage]

Cool, thanks.

[@62cripple]

What N absolute monster of an engine.....beautiful...!

[@eribertoacedo9505]

Unbelievable that valve bounced all over the place!

[@Jerrystone-xe9cn]

Great video. Good luck rebuilding the hemi. It should be a monster once you are done with it . WAiting for the dyno blast

[@NicksGarage]

That's the plan!

[@tomstrum6259]

What a Dude !! ......Nick makes 'em look like Lifting Aluminum Heads !!!

[@chrismadaj8751]

My, My George, you got that cool music in the background NICK working on the VALVE Cover having a hard time made. me chuckle a little bit.

[@NicksGarage]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@victordjinn632]

@@NicksGarage I was thinking HOT FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME, Sly & The Family Stone.

[@kevinwoolmer5478]

Great vid Nick and George. You guys always hit the 100%mark😎

[@NicksGarage]

Thanks 👍.

[@nickpanaritis4122]

Glad you liked it!

[@kevinwoolmer5478]

@nickpanaritis4122 like them all Nick. Really looking forward to the full rebuild of the matching# 440 to Kowalski 😎

[@nickpanaritis4122]

@@kevinwoolmer5478 ... I want to get to work on it ASAP if I can.

[@ewconway]

Wow incredible…… the story of the floating broken valve….. amazing

[@NicksGarage]

Glad you liked it!

[@JohnRoberts71]

Great content thanks for sharing

[@stevebemel7287]

Appreciate the engine class you are a professional!

[@nickpanaritis4122]

Thank you for watching!

[@keithharris7365]

Awesome show how could one value do that and get out of the engine.hope block and heads aren't cracked goo job Nick and crew always learn something every time. Keep them coming and see you Friday

[@Fongolitus]

looks like it ate it and spit it out

[@yarsmythe]

"It's got some damage." LOL!!! Wow. Sorry Jim.

[@psk5746]

Gosh that is a physically huge engine. It also looks to me like the inlet port gasket surfaces are not parallel to the bore centre line. That must make sealing a challenge

[@Cultofpersonality09129]

Looks like it was a Craigslist rebuild when it was built.ring land and piston skirts everywhere. That oil pan is going to be full of metal. It’ll be a nice boat anchor for someone.

[@TeamJesus515]

Hemi karnage for sure. Nick please keep us posted on this one 👍

[@BobbyTucker]

Hey Nick, I haven't read any of the other comments but I think many of us will agree, the owner of this Stroker Hemi drove it quite a bit after it sucked that valve, it had to happen that way unless he was in the upper echelons of the tachometer (Possibly 8,000 rpms or more) when it let loose. I sincerely hope there's no cracks in the block to deal with. I love your show, I want to get up there one day, hopefully, when you have an open house. Have a Great Day, Nick.

[@455buick6]

That wasn't driven anywhere I don't believe, high rpms caused all of the damage until it finally locked up after it managed to spin down

[@ronwelch6548]

Every time I watch your show I always say, (man I wish I was there with you).

[@apachebill]

“You find all your problems on the first drive.” I’m 1400 miles deep in a full restoration. Still finding squeaks, rattles, pops, loose hardware. Oh and a recently developed pan gasket leak. So yeah. Don’t let them fool you. The saga never truly ends. If you ever say “finished” it’s just like the time W landed on that carrier and declared victory. You’ll walk home next time you take it out! Never say it’s finished. We say, “done for now”. Cause we know. 😂

[@CORVAIRWILD]

I would have been faster, but I was admiring a gas powered cement mixer on the rear bumper of a pickup truck, in Madison wiscomma I'm on my way to a Corvette show in Wisconsin Dells

[@NicksGarage]

Right on.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

What a deal for that HEMI......Thanks Nick 👍 Shoe🇺🇸

[@pierrekhattar9807]

Thank you Nick and Georges very nice video it is a very strong engine it is a beast indead

[@OlSgtLove]

Great video Nick , that ol part of the valve got everywhere. It would have also pass around the intake manifold too . Dr. Nick will fix the ol Hemi back up . Hello to everyone...

[@NicksGarage]

Good tip!

[@bobbyhackney988]

That hurts. I just see money burning. Your engine is in good hands