I just need some reassurance . . .
My 305TPI camaro won't pass emissions. I have a misfire in cylinder 4. I have heard it could be the cam or the valves. My bf took apart some of the engine and saw that the cam looked fine. He thinks the problem is the valves. We changed all the small stuff like plugs and wires, so it's not that. I don't know a lot about cars so I just wanted some reassurnce that the valves could really be the problem and if it is, then could you suggest something that would work? thank you

 

Before tearing anything down, a cylinder leakage test would be helpful to identify any leaking valves, rings, gaskets, etc. A damaged valve could indeed be a problem, but so could many other things. It may be as simple as a weak injector, a problem with the reluctor in the distributor, deposits on valves, pulled rocker stud, bent pushrod, and numerous other possibilities that would not require significant disassembly.

Almost 100% of the time, a little time spent on diagnosis can save a lot of time chasing ghosts.

 

How did they narrow down your emissions failure to a misfire of cyl. 4? What were the emissions results?