my motor smokes on start up, and now sometimes while getting on it kinda hard. can't try to tell people it's tiresmoke anymore either,lol. i have a TPI 305 in an 88 formula, andi heard that these seals under the valve springs (i think they called it valve guide seal, nicknamed it umbrella seals cause they're shaped like one?) anyways i hear it's the common reason our cars smoke like this. i was told a few different methods on replacing them.
1. remove intake, remove valve covers, replace from under springs
2. remove valve covers, replace
3. remove intake, heads, repair???
please someone help me out. this probably isn't the actual valve guides milled in the head they're talking about too is it?(i think thats what 3rd method guy is thinkin) someone, HELP!

 

I'm not for sure that this is your real problem. However, if you want to change out the Valve stem seals. It's pretty simple. You have the option of Umbrella type or O-ring.
Remove Valve Covers
Remove rockers
Remove Valve Springs and locks
Slip off old seals and replace with new.

Simple as that. Parts should only cost you around 10-15 bucks at Auto Zone.

 

You can also use a positive valve stem seal.

Sounds like your guides are worn though. To solve the problem I would pull the heads off and get new guides put in, and get a vavle job while they are there.

 

i use the psotive seal along with the o ring seal, i don't like the umbrella seals.

 

ok positive seal AND o ring on the same motor? or what? i'm lost but you did clear up procedure quite a bit, thanks for that. also i don't want to have the heads reworked, i wouldn't want to put time without my car and money into factory heads, especially since i'm making my first attempt at building a motor this winter hopefully. i'm 16, and i really need my car to get around, so ripping the heads off and taking them to a machinist is kinda out of the question. thanks though. when i go to buy the parts, what should i get? the stock umbrella type, the o ring, or the positive seal(whatever that is). anyone?

 

I use positive retention-type seals on all my valves. Fel-Pro part# 72527. $11 at AutoZone.
There, doesn't get any easier than that.

 

yep o ring and postive seal both, they go in differant places

 

wheres the o ring go? any pics????

 

in the groove below the keepers, retainer, o ring, then keeper going from valve head to tip

 

I'm a little confused also. I thought that there was just the O-ring and the Umbrella with metal keeper wrapped around it to keep it tight.

Are you talkin about some sort of seal using the second groove in the valve stem? I know that the stock valve stems had two grooves. One for the locks and the other for some sort of keeper in case the spring broke.
But what if you're replacing the valves with performace valves with only one groove?
Maybe I'm off on a tangent here but I'm rebuilding my heads and just want to use the best seals....