Steel Soldiers now has a few new forums, read more about it at: New Munitions Forums!
Microsoft MSN, Live, Hotmail, Outlook email users may not be receiving emails. We are working to resolve this issue. Please add support@steelsoldiers.com to your trusted contacts.
"Broken/weak valve springs occur considerably more with age as the metal becomes fatigued"
I would argue against this because springs are an item that get reused during a cylinder head reconditioning. If that is the case, fatigue is not a factor in their life expectancy.
If a spring did fail...
There is a word for that when parts from one cylinder trash another. It's called communication.
It would be unusual for an engine with any significant runtime to drop valve due to a faulty keeper or valve spring. Those are both infant mortalities. Recession leads to valve drops on higher hour...
I would plan on pulling the pan. The piston and liner will certainly require replacement. In the past I have bought piston, liner, connecting rods loaded together in a pack that you just drop in. If you only have to do one cylinder the cost isn't so bad. If reman is available that's even better...