Valve stem seal install questions, please help!
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10
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From: College Station
Valve stem seal install questions, please help! Ok, i got a complete cam/ valvetrain upgrade from lgmotorsports for a 2004 CTS-V (LS6), all comp cams brand. Pushrods, springs, retainers, seats, and valve stem seals.
I installed everything today and then read that i was supposed to "seat" the valve stem seals by tapping them with a deep socket.
All i did was push the valve stem seals on. Do i need to take all of the springs off again and seat the seals?
Also, is there a difference between the exhaust and intake valve stem seals from comp cams? I ask because they were all in the same bag and i didnt notice a color difference. ...but then again it was getting dark out.
Some insight would be appreciated!
-Derek
I installed everything today and then read that i was supposed to "seat" the valve stem seals by tapping them with a deep socket.
All i did was push the valve stem seals on. Do i need to take all of the springs off again and seat the seals?
Also, is there a difference between the exhaust and intake valve stem seals from comp cams? I ask because they were all in the same bag and i didnt notice a color difference. ...but then again it was getting dark out.
Some insight would be appreciated!
-Derek
Unfortunately, I think you need to go back in and tap them down. They can and will come off if not properly seated. When you tap them down, you will notice a definite change in sound when they seat. I also took a measurement, but that is probably overkill.
Originally Posted by vettenuts
Unfortunately, I think you need to go back in and tap them down. They can and will come off if not properly seated. When you tap them down, you will notice a definite change in sound when they seat. I also took a measurement, but that is probably overkill.
I measured from the spring seat to the top of the metal on the valve seal. There is a specification in the Vette service manual for the newer seat type (integrated seat and seal) so I wanted to make sure I was in the ball park. Also, on the back cylinders where installation is more difficult, I had some data on the other cylinders to compare to so I would know those were properly seated since there was not direct angle to tap on the socket I was using to seat the seals on the guides.
