just had the head machined flat because of overheating and blown head gasket. before i put the head back on, should i replace the valve stem seals? has anyone had to replace these seals before? how often are they needing replacing? or will i get many more years before they will worry me?

i am eager to put my car back together, but if they'll need to be replaced soon, then it would be a wise move to do it now.

the other concern of mine is that i have just had it all checked, but what if for some reason it doesnt go back together properly and there is a leak or something. Will it matter if the valve gets rotated.

thanks guys

By "rotated" do you mean placed in a different valve port in the head? If this is the case then technicaly yes they should be re-lapped into their "new home" to make sure they seal properly against the valve seat.

The best idea is to make a plywood board with (in our case) 16 holes set out as the head is laid out, and as the valves are removed they are placed into the corresponding hole in the ply. Total cost $0.50 and 5 mins.

Valves will normally rotate in the head and in fact the rockers are usually ground with a bit of an angle on them where they strike the valve. This prevents undue wear on one part of the valve.

If you got it hot enough to warp the head, then by all means change the valve stem seals.
As long as you have the head torn down, have the valves done. Then you will know that everything is correct.
Everet <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

and also look if the valves are loose in their "tube" ( remind you I an Greek!!!)...

That will eventualy give you smoke of oil at the exaust...
Basicaly if you are planing to keep the car, fix aw many things possible..

Have the machine shop check you stems and and seals, I didn't have mine done but now that I have to rebuild the engine I will have the head compleatly gone through. Have to find a new machine shop though, the one I was using burnt to the ground the other day. See, my problems are not so bad!

Dennis

i plan to put it all back in same holes. but thanks for clearing up that it doesnt matter if i spin the valve, only that i must go back in the same valve hole.

so i might as well do it now. may save me a hassle and money later.

cheers guys