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What are the main differences in the two types of seals (one piece vs two piece)? Obviously, the number of pieces is a big difference. Why are there two different types?
I'm helping my neighbor rebuild some 862 heads for his 5.3L (LM7). The stock ones we pulled off are two piece. I have a set one piece seals still new in the bag. I'm not sure what brand I have, but I had planned on using them for my LS1 with BTR dual springs. I ended up not needing the seals, so I still have them. Will my one piece seals work with a stock head rebuild?
I noticed that there is a height difference between the two types of seals. My seals are taller, so I was a little concerned. At what point (lift) will the valve retainers hit the valve stem seals? The plan is to trash the stock springs, and replace them with LS6 springs. He wants to swap cams later on (probably .550 lift).
The one on the left accommodates the larger springs and looks to be the ones from Texas Speed. The one in the middle are for the 4.8 and 5.3 and 6.0 cylinder heads that require the top hat version and the one on the right are for LS1 heads. The black seals are for the intake and the brown ones for the exhaust.
All of the used ones look the same to me. They are still dirty, so I can't tell what color they are. The middle one is a stock two piece seal. I just put the two pieces together to show the height.
So, are you saying that the new seals won't work with LS6 springs?
The one on the left is not from tsp. Their dual spring seat/seal is nearly perfectly straight up. That seat/seal will not accommodate a dual spring. Thats an aftermarket seal for beehives.
That being said, you should be able to use them on nearly any beehive spring without issue.
They are taller, but as long as it makes some contact with the guide it should be fine. If none of the inner viton makes contact with the guide then you will need the 2 piece setup from like a 98 fbody but then you will need seats as well.
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Valve stem seals? 
