Smoke problem: change valve stem seals with heads on car?

Redfire 05 · Sep 5, 2007

So I have a smoke on startup and hard acceleration problem. I'm almost certain the problem is in the heads, ie valve stem seals or valve guides. I say this because the bottom end was just rebuilt. I put a set of heads on that I thought was in good condition, but apparently they were not.

I'm hoping the problem is just the valve stem seals, and that I can change them with the heads on the car. I know tools are available to do this, but I wanted to know if any of you have done it before? Is it a huge hassle or is it relatively easy to do. I know I'll have to remove the upper intake and valve covers, that's no big deal. I also know I'll need an air compressor which I have. I'm wondering how well the tools work and if the air compressor will reliably keep the valves from falling in the cylinders. Also where would you get the tools, and are they expensive?

ls1beater4eva · Sep 5, 2007

its not hard to do at all as long as u have a air compressor and a valvespring compressor its pretty simple

88mouse · Sep 5, 2007

I just swaped my old valve springs on to the new motor to day doing this. All you need is a Compression tester (take the valve core out). and the handle that bolts down where the rockers go. I use a little air compresor and it worked fine.But you my want to get a buddy to help you, it would make it much easier.

Roland69 · Sep 5, 2007

make sure you use a regulater when doing this....40 psi should be just fine.

Wallzy · Sep 6, 2007

Also make sure you have all your holes plugged up and do not lose your keepers, if those things pop off funny, sometimes they are demons to locate.

dtlionsfan · Sep 6, 2007

If it smokes on WOT you have ring problems.Valve seals/guides smoke on decel.

Redfire 05 · Sep 6, 2007

Cool I was hopping to hear it was easy. I'll try it this weekend if I can locate a spring compressor.

Aryan15 · Sep 7, 2007

Make sure you smack the valve retainer with a socket and hammer. It breaks the keepers loose so you're not chirping air when you compress the spring.

302RollinHard · Sep 7, 2007

Mr. dtlionsfan hit it right on the button. You don't have a valve stem seal problem more than likely. I would do a compression test on the rings.

ninety15.0 · Sep 7, 2007

I was thinking that too...generally you will smoke on start up and decel if you stem seals or guides are trashed. I would do a comp check first just for piece of mind and to make sure you dont waste a couple hours changing out seals.

90bluecoupe · Sep 7, 2007

Im also saying ring problem.

Redfire 05 · Sep 8, 2007

Okay so I replaced the valve stem seals and it was far easier than I envisioned. I have to wait for RTV to dry on the upper plenum before I can start the car and determine if I fixed the problem or not.

As far as the problem goes perhaps I should describe it more in detail since I've received so many responses in relation to it.

I get smoke every morning on start up. It runs rough for a little while and after a few minutes smooths out. I've noticed that the harder I drive it the more quickly it starts running better. If I just putz around town it will buck when I give it 3/4 or full throttle. Again I've noticed that if I hit the throttle hard let off and hit it hard again I can get excellent acceleration under full throttle. Likewise, if I mash the gas for full throttle and just hold it I'll get some bucking, but towards the top of the gear it will smooth out and run correctly. Finally I always hear backfiring under deccelaration. Always without fail.

Hopefully this clears it up. I think it's the valve stem seals and not the rings. Do you guys still say rings? Either way, I cannot afford to get a new bottom end. I'm still paying credit card bills from the last rebuild. So if it's the rings I'll just have to live with it for a while.

z2o_what · Oct 6, 2007

Redfire 05 said:
Okay so I replaced the valve stem seals and it was far easier than I envisioned. I have to wait for RTV to dry on the upper plenum before I can start the car and determine if I fixed the problem or not.

As far as the problem goes perhaps I should describe it more in detail since I've received so many responses in relation to it.

I get smoke every morning on start up. It runs rough for a little while and after a few minutes smooths out. I've noticed that the harder I drive it the more quickly it starts running better. If I just putz around town it will buck when I give it 3/4 or full throttle. Again I've noticed that if I hit the throttle hard let off and hit it hard again I can get excellent acceleration under full throttle. Likewise, if I mash the gas for full throttle and just hold it I'll get some bucking, but towards the top of the gear it will smooth out and run correctly. Finally I always hear backfiring under deccelaration. Always without fail.

Hopefully this clears it up. I think it's the valve stem seals and not the rings. Do you guys still say rings? Either way, I cannot afford to get a new bottom end. I'm still paying credit card bills from the last rebuild. So if it's the rings I'll just have to live with it for a while.

so did, this fix the problem??

i have the exact same problem with my engine, and my car will smoke after long idles, and im also thinking its the valve seals.
the valve seals i installed on the heads were all umbrella type that i took off some other heads i had (i know, i know) so i figured i'd have to change them anyways.

Smoke problem: change valve stem seals with heads on car?

Redfire 05

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ls1beater4eva

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88mouse

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Roland69

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Redfire 05

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