RE: Valve Stem Seals
 

We put the cylinder head back together and ran into a problem. When you set the cam at TDC, all the valves should be closed. We put everything together and set the cam at TDC. #2 Exhaust and #3 Intake valves are open at TDC. The valves aren't open all the way, but there is a good gap. Before we installed the cam and the rockers, all the valves were closed all the way. I also opened the adjustments all the way and the valves are still open. Any thoughts on why this is happening and how I can fix it? Before we pulled the head and took it apart, all the valves were closed at TDC.

RE: Valve Stem Seals
 

thats normal, you are gonna have some exhaust valves open and some closed. Are you following any kind of manuel? The reason the valves were closed is that probably the cam was in a different position. Got any pics of how it looks

RE: Valve Stem Seals
 

I snapped some pics of the valves. How can I set the proper valve clearance if at TDC 4 valves are partially open? Do I turn the cam 90* and then adjust them? I'm not totally positive, but I thought all the valves were closed before I took the head apart. I didn't really specifically check for that, so I'm not positive. Its really not open that much, maybe the thickness of 2 pennies. I gotta make sure the valve stuff is correct b/c that will cause major problems if I reinstall it incorrectly.


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RE: Valve Stem Seals
 

when you adjust valve lash yes you want the valves to be closed. Basically you dont want the lobe opening the valve so you have play between the rocker and the valve to adjust accordingly. Take a picture of the cam gear at what you think is top dead center and i will also take a pic of a head at top dead center and we can compare to see if your on. Two chambers will have open valves just like in your pictures when the head is at Top dead center thats normal and i will take some pics of that as well

Is the valve stem seal something that goes bad often? I'm pondering if I should attempt it or not. I don't think I have any leakage issues anywhere on the car.

you wont notice a leak around the motor from the valve stem seals, if your car smokes at idle or after you ge ton it hard up top and when you start to decel

if your valve stem seals are worn, i recommend mixing some lucas oil stabilizer in with your oil (follow the directions, too much oil in your engine can cause big problems).