jed.only

iTrader: (9)

the spring holds the seal tight against the valve stem.

fossil

iTrader: (1)

Had the same problem and springs in my pan. Came from oil seals. Mine was caused by pushrods to long... Hard to see valve seal spring with valve springs still installed.

jhall

iTrader: (3)

I talked to the cars previous owner and he said he had some of the same springs on the drain plug before he changed the valve seals so it looks like it is part of one of the ones that went bad, or so i hope. I changed the oil and put the valve cover back on and i guess i will hope for the best.I hope there was no damage done to the motor but i have noticed during starting the car now there was a inital noise kinda like a grinding sound but it smoothes out. It happened the first 3 or 4 times i started the car but is no longer there . My neighbor is a member of a local Mustang club that is having a track day saturday and i am going as probly ther lone gm car to spank some mustang *** and just hope the car doesnt blow up in the process .

heavymetals

iTrader: (3)

I vote valve stem seal.

Is it off an old one or a new one?

02TransAm/Batmobile

iTrader: (32)

Check to see if your camera has the setting called "Macro". It helps to focus in on closer objects.

bjamick

iTrader: (31)

Well your car will stary to smoke like hell if it is a valve seal spring .. It only take what like 10 min to pull the vlave covers.. I think with a flash light you could look to see if the spring is on the valve stem seal.. But hell do what you want to!!

connexion2005

iTrader: (49)

From what I understand there is no real damage to be had by running without that spring on one other than burning some oil but like mentioned it's cheap insurance to just pull the covers and have everything figured out in 30 minutes.