valve seals
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Sandy Utah
valve seals
Okay I'm a little confused, I'm attempting to rebuild some heads 3973487X, not original heads on car but that's what the motor came with, I popped off the springs from one intake and one exhaust valve, removed the valve and I see the little O ring valve seal, as well as (best I can tell) an umbrella seal? that seems to sit right on top of the valve guides. I'm wondering where to find these umbrella seals, some generic parts stores (who shall remain nameless lol) show all sorts of different valve seals and I'm just not sure what I'm supposed to replace it with? Any suggestions? Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
I'm a bit confused...you're rebuilding these at home? Did a shop do the guides and the valves/seats? They should have provided new seals. Those OEM umbrella seals are junk.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Sandy Utah
I'm doing to work as far as removing the springs, and valves rockers studs etc I'm a mechanic for a completely different car company that didn't even exist when these heads were made so needless to say this is foreign to me, however, once I remove everything I'm taking them to the machine shop for the valve grind and new guides if needed but I feel I can save a lot of money building them myself, is there a better alternative to the umbrella seal or as '75 said just buy, for example, a fel pro set of the umbrellas?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
Those OEM rubber seals tend to get hard and crack with heat and age, and then leak. A much better alternative would be to have the valve guide bosses cut for Perfect Circle teflon seals. A special cutter is available if you're the DIY type of guy. But just as easy to have the machine shop do them when there for the valve job.
Last edited by 69 Chevy; Sep 22, 2011 at 10:55 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Those OEM rubber seals tend to get hard and crack with heat and age, and then leak. A much better alternative would be to have the valve guide bosses cut for Perfect Circle teflon seals. A special cutter is available if you're the DIY type of guy. But just as easy to have the machine shop do them when there for the valve job.
