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If you want the stock part you would be going to a GM dealer so not sure why you need part number. If autoparts store they should be able to look it up, I just tried www.napaonline.com and had no issue. You should be able to do the same at www.autozone.com also.
I would try some stop smoke and if that stops working pull the heads. You're looking at a lot of work just to replace valve seals on old heads. It may not last very long before they start smoking again if the guides are worn.
NAPA is a good choice but they don't have any stores near me. I believe that my somking issue is storage related, I just don't have enough miles on it (60K original, well cared for) to have worn guides.
This was my dads car, he had it for years but never drove it. It was haunted by serious elecrtical problems. I have sorted it all out... so much so that I use it as a every day driver.
The issue is that the I can take it all apart, measure everything and have it spend two weeks blocking my driveway. The parts store near me can get what I'm looking for, but did this model come new with 3/8 valves? Unbrella seals, or "O" rings. The Fel Pro gasket sets are currently recalled for some reason. Likely for the head gasket, which I won't need.
(I REFUSE to go to ANY Stealership for ANY reason. I was a line mechanic for years, you have never seen people treated so poorly, but that's another story... )
Last edited by ThePabst; Aug 28, 2012 at 02:54 PM.
I went thru this a few years ago with my '76. It would smoke a little on start up. With just 85k on the odometer, I replaced the valve seals and that solved the problem. I installed Fel Pro umbrella seals which can be purchased at Advance Auto.
I went thru this a few years ago with my '76. It would smoke a little on start up. With just 85k on the odometer, I replaced the valve seals and that solved the problem. I installed Fel Pro umbrella seals which can be purchased at Advance Auto.
I think Fel Pro makes a kit that will stay in place without machining the guide. They have the metal spring clip around them. I've used them before and they do well.
Is this also what's recommended for an L48? Mine smoke's just a touch on startup so I'll eventually want to change the valve seals as well. What's the advantage to using some of the mentioned aftermarket ones over the stock ones?
Is this also what's recommended for an L48? Mine smoke's just a touch on startup so I'll eventually want to change the valve seals as well. What's the advantage to using some of the mentioned aftermarket ones over the stock ones?
Dan
The O ring was stock, if your valve guides are a little worn you can put the umbrella style on and put off the head job for a while.
Stock original L48. Parts suppliers will have the info on the size you need. I have the lever bar required to install them if you are looking for one. Just PM me and we'll work something out.
Stock original L48. Parts suppliers will have the info on the size you need. I have the lever bar required to install them if you are looking for one. Just PM me and we'll work something out.
The project starts Saturday morning, I'll supply all the final part numbers as well as the outcome.