Valve Guide Seals

Anyone have the umbrella seals replaced on their 350 engine? My 1988 350 puffs a cloud of blue smoke after sitting for a few hours and cools down. It does not smoke when running, just on cold startups.

If you've had yours done, what am I looking at for $$$'s? Do the heads need to come off or can it be done with them on the engine?

I was going to have mine replaced. It showed the same symptoms: a brief cloud of blue smoke at startup after sitting for a few hours. No blue smoke afterwards.

The mechanic I asked about replacing them said the seals are really cheap, but the labor required (removing brackets/components that block assess to valve covers) was a little expensive. He said it would cause me between $200-$300 for everything (seals and labor).

The heads do not need to come off, the seals can be changed by removing the valve covers, filling the cylinder with compressed air or small rope to prevent valve from falling, and removing the keepers, taking off the old seal, installing new seal, re-installing keepers and valve covers and all associated brackets/equipment.

I guess I'll have to get a bid on getting mine done. I have only the alternator bracket in the way of my valve covers. The problem I will have is getting the spark plugs out to fill cylinders with air. I have headers and the center plugs on each side are a real problem to even change plugs on.

I'm going to try a bit heavier oil first and some in oil aftermarket sealer. Hopefully it will get me by until I can get it done right.

Thanks for your reply.