Valve stem seals?

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Oct 17, 2003 | 11:24 AM

C10 JDR

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Drifting

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Valve stem seals?

I am ready to build my 113 heads back up with new springs, 1.6 rr's etc - but I don't know what do do about the valve stem seals.

When I dissasembled, the inlet valve had a rubber/metal seal, while the exhaust had just a little rubber "O" ring in a groove on the valve stem.

I have just come back from the parts store, and they gave me rubber "O" rings for I & E, saying this is current practice.

Being a bit wary of parts men, I took some metal/rubber seals, and some rubber only seals as well, I will take back the ones I don't use.

What to do? :confused:

Oct 17, 2003 | 11:26 AM

scorp508

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From: Boston, MA

I have teflon seals with the small springs in them on all of my valve guides. Requires machining the top of the guides, but its simple work.

Oct 17, 2003 | 11:33 AM

C10 JDR

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Drifting

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Re: (scorp508)

Thanks Scorp (again!)

I have a pack of seals with a metal outer and a rubber(?) inner, the rubber protrudes from the metal sleeve at the top and has a spring round it. The intake ones are brown, the exhaust ones are black. - sound like it?

How about using these and the "O' rings?

Oct 17, 2003 | 11:43 AM

scorp508

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Re: (britvette)

These are what mine look like....

Oct 17, 2003 | 12:46 PM

Davidsvette85

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Re: Valve stem seals? (britvette)

Mine has neoprene seals on them, last much longer and don't cost much more :leaving:

Oct 17, 2003 | 02:25 PM

C10 JDR

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Drifting

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Re: Valve stem seals? (Davidsvette85)

Yep. These look similar to your photo Scorp. I am going to use them along with the "O" rings. Belt and Braces, so to speak.

Thanks for your input Davidsvette, I don't know if these are neoprene or what, but they do have the unique quality of being in my possession, so the little buggers are going on!.

Now - on with the rebuild :cheers:

Oct 17, 2003 | 04:10 PM

65Z01

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Re: Valve stem seals? (britvette)

The valves on my '88 had the rubber & metal seals at the bottom and the O-rings at the tops on both int & exh.

Since they had survived for over 100k miles, I just replaced all with OEM parts from my local Chevy dealer.

Since your #113 didn't have lower valve seals on the exhaust valves maybe someone had been in there and just skipped em.

Did your valve springs have the OEM tin oil shedders above the retainers?

Oct 19, 2003 | 04:26 PM

C10 JDR

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Drifting

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Re: Valve stem seals? (65Z01)

Yes they did. I think someone may have been in there, as the inlet manifold ends had no gaskets, just silicone sealer . As I say, I will be putting both the compound seals and the O rings on I & E, so that is probably back to stock.

Problem now is not enough clearance for the extra lift of the new cam and 1.6 rr's.

Only way I can see is to machine the top of the guides as Scorp suggests.

I also got some fancy Crane 10 deg collets, forgetting that I would need 10 deg retainers to go with them, so all in all my Sunday head build-up has been a bit of a non event. :(

Any thoughts or recommendations on retainers, or should I just put the old ones back on? At least that way I could get on with the job.

I really, really, hate being stuck for lack of parts, and no matter how much I try to plan ahead stuff happens. :rant:

Still, nil desperandum in snookerato - eh?