HELP !Valve Seals????
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 590
Likes: 1
From: Suffolk New York
HELP !Valve Seals????
On a LT-1: Im replacing the Valve Seals.
If I use O ring:
do I put the retainer on first then the o ring on the bottom most groove of the valve, then the keepers? If so then its difficult to put the keepers on.
If I put the o ring on first then the retainer, seems like the retainer pushes on the o ring and could dislodge it.
Do I have a choice of the style that goes on the Guide or the O ring.
I removed two springs so far and have found neither an O ring nor a guide seal.
If I use O ring:
do I put the retainer on first then the o ring on the bottom most groove of the valve, then the keepers? If so then its difficult to put the keepers on.
If I put the o ring on first then the retainer, seems like the retainer pushes on the o ring and could dislodge it.
Do I have a choice of the style that goes on the Guide or the O ring.
I removed two springs so far and have found neither an O ring nor a guide seal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Use both the Perfect Circle seal that go over the guide and the o-rings.
PC seal, oring, spring, retainer, cap, then keepers.
With the PC seals, the o-ring are sort of extra, but not a bad idea anyway.
PC seal, oring, spring, retainer, cap, then keepers.
With the PC seals, the o-ring are sort of extra, but not a bad idea anyway.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 590
Likes: 1
From: Suffolk New York
In this setup wouldnt the o ring just ride up and down with the valve?
Do I need to worry that the spring setup may hit the guide seals if I use them ? Maybe that's why there aren't any?
Need to locate PC seals now, Guess I need to know the guide diameter to order. Can I get all Exhaust seals for both I and Exh valves?
Last edited by cam99; Oct 4, 2008 at 05:29 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 590
Likes: 1
From: Suffolk New York
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
For PC seals its best to remove the heads. The guide normally will have to be cut down. Note, PC seals restrict oil to the valve stem. Ok for racing engines but not real good for street engines because of this.
However,
Perfect time to cut the top of the guide too for critical guide to retainer clearance for the use of a higher lift camshaft either now or later.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPage...m+Oil+Seal+Set
I'm not sure of the size, but they are listed for GM production V-8, 305, 350, 429 Eng, 1965-79
I'm not sure of the size, but they are listed for GM production V-8, 305, 350, 429 Eng, 1965-79
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 590
Likes: 1
From: Suffolk New York
http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPage...m+Oil+Seal+Set
I'm not sure of the size, but they are listed for GM production V-8, 305, 350, 429 Eng, 1965-79
I'm not sure of the size, but they are listed for GM production V-8, 305, 350, 429 Eng, 1965-79
Thanks anyway
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
I hope you do realize that the outside diameter of the guide will have to be cut down to install the Perfect Circle PS seals with a special cutter to slip the e seal over the machined guide. Your valves should be 3/8 diameter stems which is not the problem. The guide will not accept those seals without the machining. But the Ford style umbrella seal may interfere with clearances with some performance camshafts causing premature lobe ware. Your local machine shop will verify this clearance if in doubt.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 590
Likes: 1
From: Suffolk New York
Thanks for all your input. I believe the guides are already machined. I measured them .530.
The umbrella may not work for me since I have double springs with a damper. The seal may not fit correctly. And I heard it may starve the guide of the little lubrication that it can use.
When using the O ring style, does the retainer need to be able to accept it? I don't have that splash guard that goes on top of the springs which the retainer holds down, too.
I was told sometimes race engines don't have either seal, a little oil in the combustion chamber isn't a bad thing.
The umbrella may not work for me since I have double springs with a damper. The seal may not fit correctly. And I heard it may starve the guide of the little lubrication that it can use.
When using the O ring style, does the retainer need to be able to accept it? I don't have that splash guard that goes on top of the springs which the retainer holds down, too.
I was told sometimes race engines don't have either seal, a little oil in the combustion chamber isn't a bad thing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 954
Likes: 40
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I used Viton Valve Seals from competitionproducts.com # S5325
http://www.competitionproducts.com/p...p?number=S5325
Avner
http://www.competitionproducts.com/p...p?number=S5325
Avner
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 590
Likes: 1
From: Suffolk New York
I used Viton Valve Seals from competitionproducts.com # S5325
http://www.competitionproducts.com/p...p?number=S5325
Avner
http://www.competitionproducts.com/p...p?number=S5325
Avner
Do you know what the stock valve guide size is?
