Valve stem seal replacement time
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
^ How so? Cam/rockers compress the spring ~.4"...how much do you really need to compress the spring to get the keepers out? Not >.4"
No way I would change the springs on that lame-cammed motor. My experience says that they're good for another 100k miles. Easy.
No way I would change the springs on that lame-cammed motor. My experience says that they're good for another 100k miles. Easy.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 235
Likes: 9
From: Winter Garden Florida
I had the valve seals replaced on my '86. it cost me $800. total, parts and labor.
I can tell you that the car runs different. no more oil on the spark plugs means better performance and faster starting.
my car had 88,000 miles when I had it done, I have had no problems in the 5000 miles since having it done.
I replaced the valve cover gaskets, spark plugs and spark plug wires along with the valve seals.
good luck on what you decide.
John
I can tell you that the car runs different. no more oil on the spark plugs means better performance and faster starting.
my car had 88,000 miles when I had it done, I have had no problems in the 5000 miles since having it done.
I replaced the valve cover gaskets, spark plugs and spark plug wires along with the valve seals.
good luck on what you decide.
John
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Parsonsfield Maine
valve seals
I have a 1986 with aluminum heads. When you wish upon a star, try the valve seals first, buy a lottery ticket the same day. wish for the best, but you may need a valve job. I tried the valve seal route last year. No improvement, my 6 and 8 spark plugs would be oil covered, so that every couple hundred miles they would need to be removed and cleaned. Tried two heat ranges hotter plugs, little improvement. Finally took the top end off and sent the heads to the machine shop, new guides, new springs, new seals, new rotators. surfaces decked. Let me tell you its a lot of work and not the easiest car to work on. Machine Shop $525, and I did everything else. Whole job in a garage, gotta be at least $2500 to $3000. Best of Luck
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
My 86 smoked something terrible! Replaced just the valve seals to resolve the problem.
One cylinder at a time. bring it up to TDC. then back up about 30 deg.
Stuff rope into the spark plug hole until it stops then rotate the crank back to TDC.
This holds the valves up for the spring compressor tool.
Remove the rope and set the valve lash.
Move on to the next cylinder in the firing order.
One cylinder at a time. bring it up to TDC. then back up about 30 deg.
Stuff rope into the spark plug hole until it stops then rotate the crank back to TDC.
This holds the valves up for the spring compressor tool.
Remove the rope and set the valve lash.
Move on to the next cylinder in the firing order.
