Help needed: how do I install vavle seals

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Sep 3, 2004 | 10:49 AM

silver & red CE

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Melting Slicks

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From: NW Chicago Suburbs

Help needed: how do I install vavle seals

My valvetrain upgrade has grown, now I need to remove the vavle seals so I can get the new spring cups on.

- I never repalced valve seals before, does anyone have some advice?

- Do I need a special tool for factory seals?

Eric

Sep 3, 2004 | 10:56 AM

ninetyfivevette

Burning Brakes

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From: Dallas Texas

I believe you can get a specialty tool, but what I used was a deep socket sized properly with a layer or two of duct tape around the edge then lightly tapped them on using a rubber mallet. I did this about 30K ago and no issues.

Edit: almost forgot, my Felpro kit came with a little cap which goes over the valve stem so you do not tear the new seals when pressing them over the valve stem.

Obviously besure the valves you are working on has the piston at TDC or some other method to make sure you don't drop the valve into the cylinder. I didn't bother with compressed air or rope in the cylinder, I was just careful.

Last edited by ninetyfivevette; Sep 3, 2004 at 10:59 AM.

Sep 3, 2004 | 12:24 PM

65Z01

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From: SE NY

Cruise-In II Veteran

With my L98 I simply wiped a little motor oil around the inside of the seals and pressed them onto the guides with my fingers.

Sep 3, 2004 | 01:11 PM

dave_85

Pro

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From: Rolling Meadows IL

I took a 3/4 in. wooden dowel rod and drilled a hole big enough for the valve stem. Then tap them in with a hammer.

Sep 3, 2004 | 03:15 PM

No Go

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2000

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From: Tampa Florida

First time or two, I just used my fingers and pushed them on firmly.

Now I have a plastic tool that allows you to tap them on with a hammer.

Pop them off with a screwdriver...carefully.

Sep 4, 2004 | 05:46 AM

JTHVETTE

Racer

Joined: Oct 2003

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From: Plains Ga.

valve seal replacement

I would use the rope in the sparkplug hole trick or the air pressure trick.
Yes, I agree you should be careful, but if you drop a valve in the cylinder ,your screwed. What I am suggesting is just good prevention.
You can remove the keepers by tapping the retainer with a deep socket
and hammer. Make sure the I.D. of the socket is larger than the O.D. of the keepers. You may have to give it a couple of hard taps from the hammer. Remove the old seals and then be careful installing the new ones. To put the valve springs on, I like to use the tool that compresses the spring by tightening a "T" handle on top. Make sure that you get the keepers back in the valve stem grooves.

Sep 4, 2004 | 09:57 AM

silver & red CE

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2000

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From: NW Chicago Suburbs

Hey everyone, thx for the help. I've swapped valve springs before, just never had to mess with seals.

BTW, I just rotate to crank until the pistion is at TDC, the valves can't drop more than 1/2" so they're not dropping into the cylinder.

Actually, dropping a valve would be a mixed blessing. I'd have to install a new cam, "Honey, it was an accident"!

Eric

Sep 5, 2004 | 11:36 AM

AGENT 86

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From: Summerland B.C. Canada

The seals should come with a couple plastic sleeves for valve stems to protect seal when installing. Take one and trim it so it covers the stem to the top of the bootom groove on stem. It makes it easier to get the "O" ring on right the first time.
You don't want the valve to drop at all as it makes it harder to compress the spring and install "O" ring, cap and locks.
Add this to all the other good info you got earlier.