1987 valve stem seals replacement
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
1987 valve stem seals replacement
1987 corvette convertible with aluminum heads. I am replacing valve stem seals. My question- On the exhaust side My kit comes with 8 O rings and 8 white umbrella type seals. When I took the valve covers off and removed the springs the exhaust side only has o rings. Am I just using the O rings and discarding the other seals? They are not on my valves now.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
I would recommend installing the umbrella seals on the exhaust valve stems, even though they aren't on your engine now. The O rings fit into the lower groove of the valve stem. Compress the valve spring and retainer, then slide the O ring into the lower groove, then install the keepers.
A magnetized screwdriver is a huge help when installing the keepers!
A magnetized screwdriver is a huge help when installing the keepers!
Oil Producer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,365
Likes: 2,734
agree with hrr.
i actually install intake seals on both intake and exhast valves but the umbrellas are great too.
use the umbrellas and the o rings on the exhaust.
JoeC guided me through the setting of valve lash and i used a feeler gauge that had been lubed with oil and it worked perfectly. you should be able to find it with google.
i actually install intake seals on both intake and exhast valves but the umbrellas are great too.
use the umbrellas and the o rings on the exhaust.
JoeC guided me through the setting of valve lash and i used a feeler gauge that had been lubed with oil and it worked perfectly. you should be able to find it with google.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
I'm not sure how to comment on that video. He doesn't meet my idea of clean! And the hammer!!! No thanks. Use a deep socket to push the intake oil seals into place, rather than a hammer, please! And it would have been good to mention that the spring retainers for the exhaust valves have valve rotators in them, so you don't want to get them mixed up with the non-rotator intake valve spring retainers.
The seals for the intake valves fit much tighter than the seals for the exhaust valves because the intake ports have vacuum, but the exhaust ports do not.
The seals for the intake valves fit much tighter than the seals for the exhaust valves because the intake ports have vacuum, but the exhaust ports do not.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I've watched several videos. Following a procedure of clean parts, one spring at a time putting everything back in the same order. Making sure seals are in correctly without damage and keepers in correctly. Oh and I have a nice magnet on an antenna handle for keepers.
Thanks
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,707
Likes: 328
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
Hmm, when I did those in the Spring I recall researching and finding many saying, no don't use the exhaust "seals". The factory didn't.
They had some reason, I forget what it was. More oil on valves? Didn't put them on mine.
They had some reason, I forget what it was. More oil on valves? Didn't put them on mine.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 96
From: Magnolia Tx
The factory saves every cent they can. I put the umbrellas on mine (several cars) because i don't want the "smoke on start up" issue to return. Ever. It works.