i think im going to have my valve stem seals replaced, i dont have anywhere to do this myself so im juts going to bring it to a shop.. how much do you think this should cost? and is there anything else i might have them do while theyre at it? valves? springs? head gasket?

thanks

 

Things they have to take off anyway, and just have them pick up new ones to put back on, instead of picking up the old ones.... valve springs, retainers & keepers; rocker arms; push rods.

 

cool, thanks, how much would you pay for it?

 

No clue... can't imagine paying for it....

 

i wish i had a garage

 

Build you one, man. It's worth it.

 

Hey p0rk,

I would recommend doing it yourself. Search the posts for valve seals. There is dozens of posts that explain how to R/R the valves seals. I have all the parts and garage to do this tasks. I've been planning on doing for quite sometime now. As of this moment I have the valve covers and spark plug removed. Although just haven't found the time to finish. Luckily I have another car. Good Luck!

 

the only problem is i live in honolulu, so i have to park on the street.. leaving the island in 2 weeks anyway.

 

Well if you could swing it. Since they would be there no better time to add roller rockers........
If that isnt an option you might consider buying a set of Z28 springs to replace you old probably worn out springs at a minimum. It would only run $50 or less for the springs, I highly doubt theres a 5 speed owner out there that has stock springs that arent worn by now.

 

What if the guides are worn? Will just replacing the seals curb some of the oil consumption, at least for a little while?

 

You do not need to take off the heads to do the seals!!
you need this tool
This adapter plugs into spark plug hole and you attach on other side of this adapter to the air compressor. this way you can hold the valve closed then you need spring compressor to take off the keepers, retainer and the spring.

seal set(16) runs about $15
Good luck

Z28 Dude>>>

 

Hey Z28 Dude-

Have you ever replaced valve seals before while the heads on the car? If so could you provide some information that I will help me out before I start mine. Also what part of Cali are you located?

 

It's a whole lot easier to use a piece of rope than the compressed air method. You just put the piston at TDC, stuff the cyl as full as you can with the rope, do the spring and valve seal thing to it, and pull the rope out. That also eliminates the need for an air compressor.

 

I am in socal San diego

 

Oh yeah I've done it on my friend's car.
Here is what you can do:
- you need air compressor and you need that adapter. You can buy that adapter from Jegs for $10 part#555-80522

- Both of the cylinder's rocker arms should be loosend to ensure the valves are closed

- you need a special spring compressor Jegs part#660-41830. By using this tool you are able to compress the spring, then take off the keepers, retainer and spring then change the seal

If you do not have air compressor you can do like what RB83l69 said about the robe method .
If the valve stem or the guide are worn, seals alone may not solve your problem.
good luck

Z28 Dude>>>

 

Thats what i do. Works like a charm. Might not be as fast, but like RB says, you dont need the air compressor.

 

ive never used rope we always just pulled the heads or used the compressor tool......does using the rope leave anything in the cylinder ??? i doubt it would but sounds interesting ....never seen it done that way before ....

 

Even if it did leave anything in there. If you used a rope with soft enough fiber it may leave some lint at the most. Probably not enough to damage anything.

 

Pep boys and autozone also sell the air compressor fitting. I just did valve seals for the first time on my Mitsubishi Galant. It was much tougher then expected but I think thats only because it was a Japanese motor. Get the tool, compress the valves with a chevy valve compressor which you can also find at autozone and then R&R. Shouldn't take you more then a day. If you can't find the chevy spring compressor (looks like a rod, attaches to your rocker screw/stud) then I recommend the autozone spring compressor that they rent, it was far superior then the pep boys design IMHO.

Matt

 

The rope i use is nylon cord. I forgett he diameter. Melt the ends with a lighter and you shouldnt have any fraying or loose hairs.

 

i was talkin to my uncle yesterday and he said he can remember doin it that way back in the 60's but hasnt heard of it since....lol....but he said that it always worked great and never had a problem ...thanks for the enlightenment i love to hear of other ways of doin things than the everyday ....thanks guys

 

I tired the nylon rope thing in my old 305 to replace a spring... couldn't get the valve to stay up no matter how much i stuffed in there... I even put the piston down, filled it up and then ran the piston up to the top... nothing...

Compressed air works best! Easiest with manifolds.

 

yeah compressed air is what i used the one time i tried it on the engine but you also have to watch that ....you will find out quick if your head gasket is bad.,..LOL

 

You only need like 15-20psi to hold the valve up. Make sure you tap the retainers with a rubber hammer before trying to compress the spring.

 

yeah my head gasket at the time was on its way out i found out anyway because the engine i did it in had 100,000 miles on it but thats the way it goes