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No valve stem seals on 308 heads

Started by _LXT333_ , May 11 2018 11:15 PM

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8 replies to this topic

#1 _LXT333_

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Posted 11 May 2018 - 11:15 PM

So I recently bought an LX.
308 block.
Surposedly a 333 stroker.
Dunno cam specs or anything else for that matter.
Was told it’s got roller rockers. So pulled off rocker covers tonight. And yes it’s got the roller rockers.
Double valve springs, and matching retainers.
And a leaf. Found a bloody leaf in there.

My issue though is it doesn’t have valve stem seals on top of the valve guides.
Valve guides have either been machined or replaced to the 1/2 inch style so it fits the little rubber ones with the Teflon insert.
Yet there is no seals there.
Could possibly be a factory type seal up in retainer/collets,
But due to the double spring setup there is no splash cap like a factory setup.
Also top of the guides aren’t chamfered.

So my question.
Has anyone else experienced this, or heard anything like this.
I did my apprenticeship as an engine reconditioner and did the job for 9 years but have been out for more that 15 years.
So am I correct in thinking it should have seals on the stem or is the factory set up adequate on old red heads with double springs?

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#2 _LXT333_

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Posted 11 May 2018 - 11:27 PM

Bit hard to take a picture of it.

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#3 Bigfella237

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Posted 12 May 2018 - 06:46 AM

From the factory, Holden V8s don't have the traditional type of seal like you're describing, they only have a square section o-ring type seal that fits in a groove at the top of the valve stem immediately below the collets, you can't see them unless you compress the valve springs...

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#4 _LXT333_

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Posted 12 May 2018 - 07:21 AM

From the factory, Holden V8s don't have the traditional type of seal like you're describing, they only have a square section o-ring type seal that fits in a groove at the top of the valve stem immediately below the collets, you can't see them unless you compress the valve springs...

Thanks for your reply
But ye I get that as I have typed that in my post.
The factory holden6/8 and small block chev all run the same set up but they also all used a splash cover between the spring and retainer
I built standard and performance engines for 9 years at Hagens Enoggera
Likely built 90% of the cylinder heads that come out of the shop.
I know very well how they are setup from original.

It may not be clear as what I’m trying to ask.
So my question
Is the factory type seal adequate in a performance application where there is now no factory type splash cover
Between retainer and spring.
Back in the day we would have fitted a set of actual valve stem seals to top of valve guide.

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#5 S pack

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Posted 12 May 2018 - 08:32 AM

So my question
Is the factory type seal adequate where there is now no factory type splash cover between retainer and spring. NO

Back in the day we would have fitted a set of actual valve stem seals to top of valve guide. Umbrella seals need to be installed to the valve guides.

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#6 Bigfella237

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Posted 12 May 2018 - 03:11 PM

Thanks for your reply
But ye I get that as I have typed that in my post. ~

Sorry, my mistake, I jumped-in before I finished reading your initial post.

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#7 TerrA LX

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Posted 14 May 2018 - 07:13 AM

I have never heard of any issues if the guides have been done correctly, and rocker geometry is spot on, they should outlast rings and bearings.
It had been running, what the top of the pistons look like?

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#8 _LXT333_

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Posted 14 May 2018 - 11:00 PM

Ye it was runnin, No idea what the top of the pistons look like.
Did fill my shed with smoke last time I started it. However went away after a minute.
Took some cranking over to get it to run so though I may have flooded it and it was smoke from that.
I guess it’s something that has to be looked at down the track.