Leaky valve stem seals

[428sjgary]

Anybody out there hear of a part that you place over the valvespring like a shroud to reduce oil splash at the top of the valve guide? I have a 305 I'm trying to nurse for a few more months, while I finish the fresh 350 longblock. I don't really feel like replacing all the valve stem seals! It's in an '86 IROC with TPI and just doing the sparkplugs is a chore!

[bobss396]

There are "anti foulers" which screw onto your spark plug, then you screw the whole works in just like a spark plug. The anti foulers act like a shroud that keeps the oil off the plug tip and they're real cheap and work most of the time. You could also go with a hotter spark plug for a short while, this works in some cases.

Bob

[MrPbody]

The shields you ask about are for stock springs ONLY. I've seen some use the Pontiac shields when they go to a larger spring, but only the 1.387" version. Most aftermarket springs won't accept them. If your heads don't have them now, there's probably a reason. We delete them anyway, in most builds, as they're dead weight if you have positive seals.

It would be no more effort to install new valve stem seals than the shields. Either way, the spring retainer must be removed. It's only a moment of time to remove the spring and change the seal. Use Pioneer OS-938 for the new seals.

Jim

[428sjgary]

Thanks Bob, it's cylinders #6 and #8 that has the problem so instead of foulers I changed from Autolite #24 plugs to #26's and that's been better! I think I'll just live with it! The 350 is at the machine shop so I should have it all reassembled in a month! The 305 has gone 226,000 miles and still has orig. timing chain! (scary thought)

[428sjgary]

Thanks Jim, I had heard about these shroud things from a mechanic buddy. He said you just loosen the rocker arm and pop'em on and readjust the rocker and yer done! I can't find anything like that anywhere so i'll just keep poppin' fresh plugs in those 2 cyl. I'm yankin' the motor out in March anyway!

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by 428sjgary

Anybody out there hear of a part that you place over the valvespring like a shroud to reduce oil splash at the top of the valve guide? I have a 305 I'm trying to nurse for a few more months, while I finish the fresh 350 longblock. I don't really feel like replacing all the valve stem seals! It's in an '86 IROC with TPI and just doing the sparkplugs is a chore!

i doubt replacing the valve stem seals will fix your problem any way. in the 1980's is was well known that all 305 chevy engines had poorly machined valve guides. anyone who wants to rebulid this engine must have this defect addressed by the machine shop. i have a 305 1984 camaro quadrajet and from day one will throw a puff of blue smoke at start up. removed valve covers and the top of head is still like new.

[randy78]

puff at start up is oil that travels down the guides and into the combustion chamber

happens after shutting off a hot engine

very common occurance happens on most old original untoiched engines of all sizes makes and models

will burn blue for a few seconds after firing it up

new valve stem seals fixes most

umbrella type for exhausts is the fix for most instances

i have done it many billions of times on lots of different engines

with nice success


good luck