My valve stem seals are shot and I plan on having them replaced. My mechanic told me that the heads should be redone along with the new seals. He said that worn heads would cause the valve stem seals to fail after ~5000 miles because of the worn heads.

I think he is full of ****! What's you opinion?

Jacob

Car info:
L98
138,000 miles
No major work done to it.

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88 GTA Notchback
A4 / 350
Stock
** New User Name**

Kill List:
95 Mustang GT
88 Mustang GT
94? Impala (real close)
97 Dodge Neon
86 Corvette
2000 Prowler
And more Civic's then I can count. Why do they even bother?

 

It all depends on how worn the guides are. I replaced the seals on my old 305 and they lasted all of about 500 miles before it started blowing smoke again. Others have had better luck. A new seal can only do so much for worn out parts.

 

With 138000 miles, I would guess the guides need replaced.

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82 camaro--original steering wheel, brake/gas pedals, seats--everything else modified
82camaro

 

Mine where in bad shape (blue smoke every morning), it cured when I switced from regular oil to Mobil 1, don´t ask me how

Later,

Nonni

 

My gut reaction is to say the mechanic is just trying to get you to cough up some more money. Yes, if the guides are shot that could ruin a new set of seals quickly, but that is only if they are shot. Any reason to think they are, other than high miles? If your guides are still in pretty decent shape, a new set of seals should last ... oh, a few billion miles or so. Give or take.

 

Mine were replaced about 5 years ago, and they're going again. I think it has been about 40,000 miles (Not sure, I replaced them when the previous owner had it). I'm not gonna bother now though, since I'm gonna be retiring the LG4!

I'd be inclined to think they'd last at least 30,000 miles, or a few years anyway.

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Working on:
'84 Z28 LG4 305 with 200,000 original miles!
Added dual elec fans.
145 MPH IROC Speedo
Building 430 HP 350 (ZZ430)
using primarily GMPP parts.
Short block sitting on a stand. (Man, those Fast-Burn heads sitting on it look good!)

Starting to look like the Kicker poster child!

ASE Certified Master Tech

 

My engine had 105k on it b4 the rebuild and didn't smoke at all, I am putting on new valve seals just to go to all umbrella seals and no o-rings (my o-rings were so dry and brittle they just fell off anyway..) I say try it and see what happens.