Can anyone tell me if this looks normal, or abnormal? And/Or what type of valve stem seal this is, and/or if it's good quality or junk?

 

Looks relatively normal.

It's a "positive" type seal, not sure of the brand. Probably OK for at least a little while.

The spring around it keeps tension on it, so it doesn't depend so much on the elasticity of the rubber material.

Looks like there's more writing on it, or maybe a logo; show more of it, maybe we can figure out better what it is.

 

best i have of the other marking.

When you say relatively normal, what's that mean? These things have 500 miles on them since they were brand new. Are the "gaps" in the spring normal?

 

Found one more.

"FM" maybe? Federal Mogul?

 

Yes, likely F-M; that would be a decent quality piece, the "National Seal" brand I believe.

The gaps in the spring don't matter. As long as it holds the seal against the valve, all is well.

 

Huh, neat. My F.M. positive retention valve seals look nothing like that. Mine use a band of metal, rather than a spring, and are blue.
Must be different part numbers.

FYI, if you don't trust the ones you have now (not that you have any reason to not trust them) I picked mine up for about $10 USD for a set of 8. Comes with those little rubber o-rings!

 

That seal is the newer style seal GM has gone with...you find them on Vortec heads and LT1 heads. I do believe they fit our heads without machining also

 

And remember that the exhaust stem seals are a different material (and marking) from the intake stem seals. Intake seals don't last very long on the exhaust side (don't ask - but what a pain if you make the same mistake I did).

A complete new set of 0.562" positive stem seals (12511890 Valve Stem Seal Kit) is about $18 US from GM. I'm not sure what that translates to in California dollars...

 

Vader,

Where did you get that for $18? I checked some of the online places (partszoneonline, gmpartsdirect) and they are around $30.

Thanks!