V8Astro Captain

iTrader: (1)

When I changed my cam I did the valve springs at the same time. Now all my plugs have oil ash on them.

I was reading the archives and it seems that there may have been an o-ring at the tip of the valve. I didn't see any but I do remember there being 2 grooves on the valve tip. 1). Do you think they came off with the retainers...and that I may have not installed them properly?

I need to change them soon, but I would like to be 100% sure. 2). I was reading that some of you guys like to use all 3 types of seals on the intake and just one umbrella (?) on the exhaust...correct?

3). When I do change the seals do I need to replace the o-ring at the valve tip or should I discard them and use something better?

ede

you may have removed the o ring and not known it. i use the positive seals at the valve guide and the o ring on the valve. if you aren't sure take a look or just go ahead and replace them, it isn't that bad a job to do.

V8Astro Captain

iTrader: (1)

Do I have to do anything special with the o-rings or the positive seals when I put them on? Will the intake and exhaust each take an o-ring and a seal?

Any brand preference?

TIA

Dano 00TA

If you had the retainers off the seals came off too. Probably in a bunch of little pieces as they are known for drying out and getting brittle. You can just get a set of o-ring seals or if I'm not mistaken you can use small block ford umbrella type seals which are far better than our gm types. If you want to use teflon seals you have to have the heads machined for 'em to fit. My IROC smoked when started cold because the seals were bad and I just put a regular set of o-rings on and it hasn't smoked since so even these will do the job. Any brand will be fine.