Question on valve stem seals
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 289
From: Chardon Ohio
Question on valve stem seals
So I'm thinking of replacing the valve seals. I've got some mild oil usage and smoke at startup, and burning oil smell when running. I thought I'd start with this. I'm looking up valve stem seals on Summit and there are some specs that I'm not sure of.
My engine is a GM crate motor (from PO) about 7 years old, not sure on the specifics, but about 290 or 330 HP. I think the heads are the not-so good 462624's (from what I've heard).
Here is what I am looking at:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fel-ss72526
and intake:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fel-ss72527
Are these correct? Thanks
My engine is a GM crate motor (from PO) about 7 years old, not sure on the specifics, but about 290 or 330 HP. I think the heads are the not-so good 462624's (from what I've heard).
Here is what I am looking at:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fel-ss72526
and intake:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fel-ss72527
Are these correct? Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Either one should work. The first set includes the "classic" O-Ring seal GM used for decades on SB Chevy's. They're not really necessary if you're using umbrella seals, but, it can't really hurt.
Back in the 70's a popular choice was to use "Vega" seals. Very inexpensive, long lasting and very effective.
Good luck... GUSTO
Back in the 70's a popular choice was to use "Vega" seals. Very inexpensive, long lasting and very effective.
Good luck... GUSTO
Pro
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 591
Likes: 3
From: Monroe Washington
Mine has the umbrella valve seals on intake and exhaust... No o-rings on the two we pulled... And I had this split in the intake seal pictured...
So far I only replaced that one set on cylinder 7 which was the one I had fouling plugs...
At the moment , I'm still getting a puff of blue on startup... Not sure if I have another similar issue... Will be watching the plugs closely...
So far I only replaced that one set on cylinder 7 which was the one I had fouling plugs...
At the moment , I'm still getting a puff of blue on startup... Not sure if I have another similar issue... Will be watching the plugs closely...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 289
From: Chardon Ohio
Pro
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 591
Likes: 3
From: Monroe Washington
The umbrella gasket is better, sees higher temps, and I guess it's not that uncommon for guys to run them on both sides.. My 383 came that way... And, when using the umbrella, they say the top o ring isn't necessary... And that info came from an experienced corvette shop builder mechanic... I trust his expertise
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
Umbrella seals are the trick to buy you some time until you can fix it permanently with a valve job. If this has been going on for some time then there will be enough burned oil buildup on the valve stems that the seals won't help much. But it will help.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 591
Likes: 3
From: Monroe Washington
That's what I'm wondering... I had that cracked seal on the motor when I bought the car from the PO... 254 miles from him... 5500 miles from me on this engine... Just replaced the seal, about 500 miles ago... Was still getting a little puff on cold startup... But it 'may' be getting better? Perhaps I had sooty deposits on the valve? I'm waiting to see if it burns off/clears up, or if I need to delve deeper into the heads etc... Too bad too, cause it's all fresh/new under the hood...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 289
From: Chardon Ohio
That's what I'm wondering... I had that cracked seal on the motor when I bought the car from the PO... 254 miles from him... 5500 miles from me on this engine... Just replaced the seal, about 500 miles ago... Was still getting a little puff on cold startup... But it 'may' be getting better? Perhaps I had sooty deposits on the valve? I'm waiting to see if it burns off/clears up, or if I need to delve deeper into the heads etc... Too bad too, cause it's all fresh/new under the hood...
Pro
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 591
Likes: 3
From: Monroe Washington
Could be... There are numerous YouTube vids...
You will need a valve spring compressor, compression gauge capable of hooking up air to fill the cylinder, a small hammer, and safety glasses... Get it apart, pull one of yours off, and make sure to get the right size to put back on... A caliper could be handy to measure your stud where the seal sits, they come in numerous sizes... A magnet is handy to retrieve the keepers...
Adjusting valves or rockers depends on lifters and rocker arms when done...
I had a shop do mine on one cylinder... And I'm confident I could do it myself... But I didn't have the tools... And it pays to have someone with experience breeze through it!
You will need a valve spring compressor, compression gauge capable of hooking up air to fill the cylinder, a small hammer, and safety glasses... Get it apart, pull one of yours off, and make sure to get the right size to put back on... A caliper could be handy to measure your stud where the seal sits, they come in numerous sizes... A magnet is handy to retrieve the keepers...
Adjusting valves or rockers depends on lifters and rocker arms when done...
I had a shop do mine on one cylinder... And I'm confident I could do it myself... But I didn't have the tools... And it pays to have someone with experience breeze through it!