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| | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 313 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 313 | Hello fellow bolters!
I am getting ready to replace the valve stem seals in my 1954 Chevy 235 this week and have done a lot of reading up on this subject and I see that several folks recommend going to umbrella seals (same ones that a small block uses), so I am wanting some recommendations on which ones to use, please and Thanks!
Hopefully something that a local parts store carries or can get in short order.
Thanks in advance!!
Kevin
1953 3100 with 1957 235, T5 and 12 bolt 373 rear
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,763 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,763 | Be careful- - - -there's such a thing as too much oil sealing. If you go with umbrella seals (really foolish idea, BTW) take the O ring seals off that fit below the split keepers on the valve stem. Valve guides need to have a little lubrication- - - - -running them totally dry with too much sealing wears them out and creates massive oil consumption that no kind of seal can cure.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
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| | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 313 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 313 | Be careful- - - -there's such a thing as too much oil sealing. If you go with umbrella seals (really foolish idea, BTW) take the O ring seals off that fit below the split keepers on the valve stem. Valve guides need to have a little lubrication- - - - -running them totally dry with too much sealing wears them out and creates massive oil consumption that no kind of seal can cure.
Jerry Hello Jerry! I can definitely go with the o-ring seals. I seen some conversation back & forth about the umbrella's on another forum so just thought I would ask. As always, I appreciate your input!! Kevin
Last edited by kthomas; 08/07/2017 10:48 PM.
1953 3100 with 1957 235, T5 and 12 bolt 373 rear
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | I have seen many umbrella seals crack rendering them useless.
Stock O ring seals seldom fail if installed correctly( I always vacuum test them once installed).
I have only seen one engine where the O rings failed. That engine had sat for many years and the seals did dry out and crack.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 | Are we talking about positive valve stem seals? The kind which are affixed to the valve guides? Or the kind of umbrella seals commonly used on older Furd engines
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 313 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 313 | Yeah, I will be using the original o-ring seals for sure!
Kevin
1953 3100 with 1957 235, T5 and 12 bolt 373 rear
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,763 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,763 | Are we talking about positive valve stem seals? The kind which are affixed to the valve guides? Or the kind of umbrella seals commonly used on older Furd engines Positive seals clamp to the top of the valve guide with a steel spring, and wipe the valve stem as it moves through the seal. An umbrella seal is a cup-shaped device that grabs the valve stem and rides up and down with it, deflecting the oil away from the top of the guide. Positive seals require a machined outside diameter of the guide and are usually used on race engines because they're very small diameter and allow the use of double or even triple valve springs. They're not really intended to be used on street engines that are expected to run for thousands of miles. I used a lot of positive seals on my round track engines, but a really old roundy-round engine might have 5,000 miles on it! Umbrella seals are a little better mileage-wise, but they still have a habit of getting tired and losing their grip on the valve stem. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 | Thanks for the clarification Jerry.
I asked because I have tried the umbrella seals on a 216 and they deteriorated and split in no time at all. Must be they don't make them like they use to.
Carl
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 662 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 662 | Carl,
Corvair guy says use Viton.
CTT | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 | Carl,
Corvair guy says use Viton.
CTT I am familiar with Viton. It is also resistant to many chemicals. Good to know they make umbrella seals with it.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
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