Small Block Chevrolet Valve Seals

[c3po]

I had a fouled spark plug on the number 2 cylinder and my mechanic said that I needed new valve seals in that cylinder, he replaced all of the valve seals on the passenger side as they were all going bad, 2 of the exhaust valve seals were almost totally disintegrated, I asked him about the driver's side and he said if it is not broke don't fix it, my thinking is there is no way that the passenger side cylinder heads could have bad valve seals and the driver's side cylinder head valve seals are fine. The engine has been Auto-Rxed and has 362,000 miles and it is definetly running better, should I check the plugs on the driver's side and do a compression test, will the compression test tell me if I have bad valve seals or good valve seals.

 

[jorton]

This is a question for mechanics.

Compression test can show condition of valve SEATS, and piston rings. Not the condition of valve seals.

Wait and see how oil consumption is now after repairs to the left side valve seals before questioning your mechanics advice.

Oh. I'm not a mechanic.

 

[c3po]

I guess I got my answer on the compression test, this mechanic is 66 years old and has been doing this stuff for over 40 years, I will keep an eye on the oil and see how things go. I am not a mechanic either, but I can change oil and transmission fluid.

 

[Gary Allan]

With the valve covers off you can change valve seals on a SBC in about 20 minutes. It's a very easy job with compressed air, a tool from KD tool (or fab one up yourself), and a hammer to assure that you put the keepers back in right. I haven't done one in about 30 years, but it was a piece of cake.

 

[Chris142]

I did some on a SBC last year. Took a couple of hrs to do all 16 plus labor to remove the valve covers, clean the gaskets surfaces etc.

We went with umbrella seals instead of the stock O-rings. My fingers were very tired of turning the valvespring tool.

 

[Gary Allan]

Do they have a new style now? The last one I used was a lever, using the rocker stud as the fulcrum. Yes, by the time the whole process is done it's a couple of hours if you're not in a race.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Do they have a new style now? The last one I used was a lever, using the rocker stud as the fulcrum. Yes, by the time the whole process is done it's a couple of hours if you're not in a race.

This is the only kind I have ever seen. It works good.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/UNIVERSAL...emZ360088688258

 

[Edmond]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
I haven't done one in about 30 years, but it was a piece of cake.


You're telling us how old you are! LOL.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
Do they have a new style now? The last one I used was a lever, using the rocker stud as the fulcrum. Yes, by the time the whole process is done it's a couple of hours if you're not in a race.

This is the only kind I have ever seen. It works good.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/UNIVERSAL...emZ360088688258


That's the style I have as well.

 

[Gary Allan]

The reason you've probably never seen any other than the adapted battery post puller is because (probably- my speculation) is that fewer and fewer engines have rocker studs.

 

[OVERKILL]

Oh, I've seen the other style, but this style is much easier to use

I bought this style (twist) because of the spring pressure of the springs I'm installing.....

 

[Gary Allan]

I'd adapt a drill driver (if a younger buck like Chris gets fatigued at "doing the twist).

 

[OVERKILL]

LMAO! Thanks Gary