sidewayz28

iTrader: (24)

ok im installing the patriot golds on my 243 heads and the damn seals are HARD to get down towards the seat! check out these pictures... is there suppose to be a little gap between the seat and seal? or is there some way to push them all the way down??

you can see the little gap between the seal and seat

sidewayz28

iTrader: (24)

the thing is theres a little lip on the seal that the stem (where the valve goes through) wont clear?!

warp10

iTrader: (5)

Mine came out that way as well and I was told it was fine.

KingSS

iTrader: (1)

Yes the gap is supposed to be there.

sidewayz28

iTrader: (24)

yeah thats what i figured thanks guys ! ill get some pics up as soon as im done

Cop Car

iTrader: (14)

how hard should they be pushed down on there? is it ok if they are just lightly pressed? are they going to move around with the valve ?

pHEnomIC

iTrader: (14)

There is supposed to be a gap, it's normal.

GuitsBoy

iTrader: (4)

Since theyre no lonnger one piece seals/seats, this is normal.

pHEnomIC

iTrader: (14)

sorry to hijack but does anyone know the purpose of the metal springy thing that goes around the seal? I couldnt figure this out.

blkbird

iTrader: (28)

I believe its to hold a good tight seal around the valve...

1badjimmy

iTrader: (4)

Thats correct. The spring is there to help wipe excess oil off of the valve stem.

BriancWS6

iTrader: (18)

An easy way to install the seals is to get a deep well socket that will slip over the valve-stem and then lightly tap on it to "seat" the seals. I used that method during the cam only install on my previous car.

Cop Car

iTrader: (14)

so nobody is going to answer my question?

98slowt/a

iTrader: (14)

lightly tap the valve seal down

pHEnomIC

iTrader: (14)

yeah, according to ls1howto, you put a socket 10mm socket or something over the seal and lightlly tap it till it is seated(1 or 2 taps)., We did that and it worked great.

Cop Car

iTrader: (14)

i used the retainers and pushed the seals down...

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

Not good. If you check the service manual, with the stock springs/seat, there is a measurement to which the seals get pushed down that is taken between the seal and the seat of the spring. Since you have aftermarket seats, this measurement needs to be adjusted by the change in thickness. If you use a socket, it must be large enough to fit around the rubber/spring portion of the seal and contact the metal portion only. Tap them down, you will notice a difference in sound when they bottom in place as you gently tap them. If you have a vernier, you can measure the ones that are easy to access and tap down so that when you do the backs which are harder to see you can take a measurement and tell if they are down all the way.

If you used the retainers to do the installation, I would personally pull them all off and get new ones since you might have damaged them. Otherwise, you may be back in there later for oil burning issues. You can try them as they are, but just be aware that they might be damaged from the method of installation.