re-assembling valve springs.

[1986]

i have a new set of valve springs to go with the cam im puting in the 3.4 im building. do i really need to re-use the sleeves the slide inside the springs? and the hats that go on top of the exhaust spring?

[1986]

ok i figured one out, the new springs came with new sleeves inside them already, is the intake valve the only one that gets a valve seal? the ones i ordered came with a pack of 8 and i cant remember if the exhaust side had it?

[Ortie666]

yeah, the exhast should have a seal too

[TurboProject]

I have a similar question. I'm rebuilding the top end of my 3.4L and I got some comp cams 980-12 springs to replace the old stockers. I also got the comp cam spring retainers(742-12) and locks, as well as the o-ring type valve seals.

In my GM service manual it shows that both intake and exhaust valves get the o-ring(square cross-section) and intalls in the 2nd groove at the top of the valve stem. And only the intake valve gets the valve seal that goes down around the valve guide.

I thought I had seen somewhere that when running the 980-12 springs you don't need this valve guide seal on the intake and only the o-ring types are used on both the intake and exhaust? I also think I saw somewhere that you don't need that oil shedder hat anymore on the exhaust valve with the comp cam springs. Although I don't think it would even fit over the spring.

[Ortie666]

if you can find ones that fit, and have clearance, use them.. the early 350s never even had valve seals, but the purpouse of the exhast one is so that oil doesnt leak down into the exhast. personaly on all the heads I build, even if they didnt come with a seal stock, I find one that fits from a later model.

[geoffinbc]

I agree. The stock heads never came with an exhaust valve stem seal. But it is a good idea to find ones that will work. Most after market springs will not fit the metal exhaust valve oil hat so don't bother with it.

But use the o-ring seals that go on the second groove of all the valve stems.