I have to change a few things around on my motor, and i found the oil pickup had actually come off my pump, but that is not why I am posting this just think they might be related. I found these laying in my head on the driver side today when i took the valve cover off, I DONT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE FROM
I hope someone can help me I am now very very worried....

 

valve spring retainers?

 

That could be, but the springs all seem ok, I have to readjust the valve lash anyhow so I can check them when I do that. I found one stuck under a spring and thought my springs were broken. Guess Ill good see if i see anything missing on the springs. Would that be outside or inside.

Also thought i might be from the lifters, but I have no idea how it would have made it all the way to the top like that

 

They're ummm... extra parts! I don't ever recall seeing anything like that in my engines. The lifters I've used have a flat clip that holds everything in and valve spring keepers are small little half moon wedges. What's the diameter of those?

 

They're not circlips for pistons are they?

Edit: NVM, they're only half circles, not full C shapes.... Im at a loss.

 

Here are some updated pictures, so you can see size....

 

Not from the lifters, I checked against my gut feeling. Just to make sure, I found another half of one on the passenger side head, obviously this goes to something important....any other idea would be great.

 

They aren't a valve guide seal retainer ring? They look different than the ones on the Fel Pro's I installed on mine- maybe they snapped in half.....they look too uniform for that though.

 

Those are under the springs right, I bet thats what they are, and how on earth would I have caused that to happen.... that means I could have some down in the cylinder too then. Oh Damn

 

Yes, under the valve spring. And NO, not in the cylinder....oil pan more likely.

 

Thats what it is, I haven't even gotten to them yet, gut I found a ton for rubber all over in the heads, not so much in the pan ill check again when i go out tomorrow. I now have to clean the heads and the pistons, they are all black in the chamber....

I hope it didn't cause to much damage. Fingers Crossed.

Now for replacements, should I go for just anything or is there a certain brand that is better, these are just stock heads, with a performer RPM cam, should i redo springs while I have them all taken apart?

Sorry for the follow up questions, but seeing as I had to pull everything apart to make sure it wasn't more serious might as well get it all done while i have it apart.

 

Looks like your retainers have been smooshing your positive seals - better check clearances & find out the cause.

 

Those look exactly like the clips for the valve stem seals. At least pieces of them anyways.
No doubt in my mind.
Your intake valve stem seals most likely need to be replaced. May not be a problem with the seal yet. But as to why they're broken is the most important question here.
Fatigued with age more than likely.
Hope you get it figured out.

 

its the cam I have that caused it... I tossed in a Performer RPS a few years back and never touched the heads or anything else... i was young and dumb

 

Every engine has black on the piston tops and in the CC. Don't sweat it.

Use the part number on the box in my photos.

 

I dont see a part number lol.... and its a roller not a flat tap

 

Still looks like the upper spring clip of the valve stem seal to me.
the part number is on the bottom of the box in the first pic. You can see the thin silver ring clip on the new seals in the pic too.
There is nothing on a cam that looks like that or even close to my recollection.
Roller or flat makes no difference to the valve stem seals needed to replace those broken pieces you found. The seals are all the same for standard heads I'm sure. Aftermarket heads I am unsure.
Make sure you account for all the pieces of snapped clip upon dis-assembly. I'd imagine you have 8 of those seals total.
Good luck.

 

Look at the box on post #8. I was referring to the Felpro Seals- roller or flat doesn't matter

 

Oh lol, I thought you were talking about a cam....lol. Yeah those are already on my wish list, I just dont want to be right back here in a few months, figure change the cam fix the issue