Another_User

Ugh. Well the hotcam is in. I bought the pen magnets...and boy am I glad I did. I heard 2 of the lifters slip out of the retainer. I even got the dots on the sprockets lined up on the first try. So I end up with a new problem. Those things I was told are retainers aren't retainers. They are shims.

So I am weighing my options, and I need a little help from you guys. Do I:

1) not use the new shims
2) buy new valve seals and replace the shims
3) buy the newest valve stems seals with the shims built on

I don't want to blow a gazillion dollars to finish this up, but I so want to try to finish it up right. How much do new valve stem seals cost (for all 16)? And do I really need to do all of this (the valve stem seals can't be bad on mine, I only have 34k miles)? If I don't replace the shims, what are the drawbacks? Valve float? Thanks again in advance!

ss rally red

iTrader: (8)

Right or wrong I did not use the shims(when I had the HC) and just changed the springs, no ill effects on any of the 4 cars I have seen with the HC.

01_SuperSlow

iTrader: (7)

I got all 16 valve seals at thunder for 16 bux. I don't see why you need 32

jrp

iTrader: (16)

are you refering to the spring seats? the ls6 springs should fit no problem in the stock seats so you dont really need to replace them. only time you need new spring seats is if your installing a dual spring setup. in which you'll also need to replace the vavle stem seals. and 01 superslow is right, you only need 16 and i got mine from thunder as well.

Another_User

Why did I say 32....it has been a long day under the hood. LOL. I must have been counting my valve locks while I was thinking about my valve stem seals.

2xLS1

iTrader: (25)

The spring seats that come with the hot cam are .010 thicker than stock LS1 seats. Using them will change the installed spring height by that amount and will slightly increase the spring pressure. The newer 02+ seals that are one piece with the spring seats are the same thickness as the hot cam seats. If you decide to change them, I would go with the newer seals as the springs will self install the seals at the correct height. The newer seals are only a few dollars more than the older seals.

Another_User

How much do they cost? A few dollars more than the old seals could be anything...

mcflyz28

I used them, they come with the kit for a reason, i left the stock seals.

Another_User

Ttttt

DaleMX

iTrader: (4)

I put .025 shims over my seats on my 918's for my TR230 just to increase the seat pressure a bit. As long as you dont get into coil bind you can use the shims.
Dale

2xLS1

iTrader: (25)

02 INTAKE V/G SEALS – 12482063 – Dealer List $17.68, Dealer Cost $10.08
02 EXHAUST V/G SEALS – 12482062 – Dealer List $20.11, Dealer Cost $11.46
98-01 INTAKE V/G SEALS – 12533586 – Dealer List $17.12, Dealer Cost $9.76
98-01 EXHAUST V/G SEALS – 12457652 – Dealer List $15.74, Dealer Cost $8.97