Valve Seal Replacement

TheMolarMass · 05-28-2003

I'm replacing my valve seals this weekend.

I know I need compressed air and a spring remover.

Will the seals just slide out, or will they need a removal tool?

I've been told there is a special tool that goes over the valve stem, and protects the seal from the retainer grooves as you install it. What is this tool called?

I have Windsor Jr heads. Please recommend some good seals so I can ask my local speedshop for some quality seals. Do the Winsor Jr's take special type of seals, or will any 302 fitting seal work?

86Cobra · 05-28-2003

You can pull the old seals off with your fingers. When installing the new ones just rub some oil on the tip of the valve and slide them on.

When removing the valve springs, put a large open end socket on the retainer and wack it with a hammer a few times. This will unseat the retainers from the locks and make it much easier on you.

marks86gt · 05-28-2003

When you buy your seals they come with an installation sleeve that slips over the valve stem and prevents the bottom of the valve keeper groove from cutting the inside of your new seal.

TheMolarMass · 05-28-2003

OK, so that sleeve is not a special tool.

Awesome!

wagstdy · 05-29-2003

You can also use a small diameter rope instead of compressed air. You can feed the rope through the spark plug hole and fill the cylinder.

If you use compressed air, make sure the piston is either at the bottom of the stroke or at the top. If it is at the top, it should keep the valve from falling into the cylinder in case the air seal is lost but you'll need to "lock" the crankshaft in position so that the air doesn't push the piston to the bottom.

TheMolarMass · 05-29-2003

Who's used rope before? How much rope is required? What kind of rope?

86Cobra · 05-29-2003

I tried it and it sucked. Think about pushing a rope. Not fun.

If you want to try it, find a stiff rope.

tmoss · 05-29-2003

I always use air at TDC - use a compression tester hose to make the connection to the spark plug hole.

marks86gt · 05-30-2003

I used the rope trick with no problems. I used 3/8 nylon marine rope and short flat head to do the pushing. It takes a little linger to push the rope in, but it's better than having dropped a valve. I bought 50 ft because it's so cheap. I used every bit of it, but that's only because I cut off the rope that had been muffed up because of the pushing process. I even have equal length headers and it still worked. To check if you have enough rope in there:
1.Collapse the spring.

2.Push on the valve to see if it springs back up from the rope applying pressure.

3. Be patient. If you don't think it needs more rope, push in a little more.