seals on valve stems

[Bart]

Hi all,

I am currently overhauling my S2 1600 engine. It is quite a thourough job, which includes boring, new pistons, new bearings, overhauled pumps, etc.

It seems that clearance between valve stems and guides is still well within limits, so I leave them in. But what to do with seals?

There weren't any in my engine.

I know that opinion differs, also on the best ype to use (if any). Please give your comments.

Bart

[John Simister]

My S2 1600 engine didn't have seals either, but when Peter Gerrish rebuilt it he said it would be better with seals. He removed all the valve guides and machined them to take the seals that were supplied in the 1600 full engine gasket set that I got from Omicron, which I think involved cutting a retaining groove on a lathe. My rebuilt engine blows no smoke and appears to use no oil, so seals - on all the valve guides, not just the inlets - are clearly a good thing.

John Simister

[tim]

I have been recommended to only fit on inlets esp on a 1600. You can get valve guides pre machined for seals. Think the reason is that oil will only be sucked in through inlets!!!!! (and exhausts need a bit more lube esp on 1600's) I have 2 1600's fitted with inlets seals and dont get any oil burn.

Tim

PS if you channge the guides you will need to re cut the seats (if you have the valve guides that are stepped at spring end to take a seal so you may not need to change them - as John says the seals come with all but basic headgasket sets).

[P. de R. Leclercq]

If using seals, use ones intended for Thema Turbos or 16v Integrales; they are superior material. (Probably BMW ones are good too).

Cheap rubber seals go hard with temperature and cease to be effective.

Paul