When installing shims do I remove the factory seat and place the shims under it or do I place them on top? Also do you just remove the valve guide to remove the stock seat?

 

Shims are typically made of a soft material, so they go under the steel spring seats.

You'll usually end up destroying the seal after you remove it, so plan on replacing them. Just don't replace them with the 1pc seal/seat combo GM used for a while. It will move the seal up and decreases retainer-seal clearance as well as the seal's hold on the guide.

And no, don't remove the guide to install shims.

 

After looking around it looks like my 04 ls1 has the 1 piece seal/seat. So do I then just ask for 2000 or below seals and seats?

 

I don't know what year to ask for, but I don't think it would be much more expensive to use aftermarket seats and seals. You'd probably have to call, but I'm sure many of the sponsors (TSP, Thunder, Scoggin, etc) would have them.

 

I just went through this, check this post out...

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...errerid=181938

post #7

I used the 1.250 OD 0.814 ID