I have a set of AFR 190 straight plug aluminum heads on my carbed '87 IROC 383. I seem to have a persistent valve seal oil leak problem, especially on the exhaust valves. When I got my new motor with the new heads they leaked right away, less than 2,000 miles. Under warranty, the motor builder replaced all the seals. Now, once again, after only 1,100 miles they are leaking again. What is going on? Is my motor destroying them or what? I don't have roller rockers yet, is that the problem? My ZZ9 cam is no monster either with .483 and .520 lifts. Could my motor be sucking the oil through them? Should I ventilate through the valve covers better?

I pulled all the plugs and all but two have oil on them. The motor consumes oil. It could be the rings but I think not since the compression is very good. Power is great.

Did anyone else have a problem with the oil seals on their AFRs? My heads were built up by the motor vendor and not AFR, that's probably why!!

I called AFR and they use 'Pioneer' valve seals on all their heads. They use the same seal on both exh. and intake. I ordered a set from them.

Just curious if anyone else has had this much trouble.

BTW, the motor builder was Performance Chevy in Phoenix, AZ. I would not recommend them to anyone...........can you believe that they are an authorized AFR vendor! Sad!

Thanks,

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Phil87IROC
Blue '87 IROC, 383 Crate Motor, KB pistons, AFR 190 heads, TPIS ZZ-9 cam, Edelbrock RPM intake, 1" TD spacer, Hooker SC/LT headers w/ Mufflex Y-pipe, Edelbrock 750 cfm Carb (#1411), Stock T-5, GM 3.42 gears w/Auburn posi.
Ohio Valley Dragstrip (KY) Trophy Bracket WINNER - 8.39 ET on a 1.82 sec. - 60'. Best MPH = 84.44. Still Tuning Carb!
Red '89 IROC L98, TES w/Flowmaster, 1LE DS, 700R4, T-Tops, K&Ns w/open air boxes, 160 T-stat, Hypertech Chip, gutted MAF & CAT, Jacobs Ign., 53kv coil, MSD wires.

 

I have the 190's and don't have any problems, but I've posted a link where some guys have had draining problems:
http://www.corvetteforum.cc/ubb/Foru...ML/009763.html

 

Thanks 89GTA383. I don't seem to have this problem though. The oil is getting into the combusion chambers.

I am using Fel Pro cork valve cover gaskets and they are working great. I have a vent on the pass side and a PCV on the driver side covers. Somehow oil is getting down past the valves into the cylinders.

TTT

 

If the area under the valve covers fills up with oil to the point that the valve guides are submerged, no seals in the world will keep it from going down the guides. Don't laugh, it happens.

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

Tim Burgess and I took a closer look at the springs and seals today. Looks like the top retainers are hitting the teflon seals. Some appear to be breaking.

AFR does not recommend teflon seals. I will replace all the seals and check all the dimensions out carefully.

What a pain.