1983 380 engine
 

Has anyone replaced the valve stem seals, I have a seal that when I take off from a red light I leave the poor person behind in the smoke, blue smoke. Not good. How big of a job to perform the seal repalcement, I've heard you acn hold the valves in place with a rope and moving the piston up, then compress the spring and R R the bad seal. Any ideas or better ways.

I had it done when I had them replace the timing chain, rails, tensioner, and the cam sprokets.

Grand total: $1050, but with some discounts because my indie friggin' rocks! :cool: Separate, the valve seals would have been about $250 or so.

Bribenz, how do you fix the loose guide? any ideas for the weekend mechanic. :)

If a guide is loose enough that it is sliding in and out of the head (happened on my friends 280 4.5). You will notice one is loose because by trying tp pull the seal off the guide, instead the whole guide will come up! We used the standard size and carefully tapped it in. Use the old guide to hit against as to not damage the new one. You may have to go to the next oversize, but I can't emphasize how easily they are damaged from hitting them in. I've even heard to put the guide in the freezer overnight before hand so it will slide in easier. I guess it contracts somewhat microscopically? I'm not sure, I'm definitely no scientist.
Thanks
David

Hey Juan

I have done this job w/ my 82 380 sel. Your best, safest option is to remove the heads and have them recon. : w/ new valve seals and regrind the valves. Also, if you havent converted to dbl. rollers in the timing chain, this would be a great time to do so. After doing the head work myself and putting in new MB seals, the car runs excellent. Parts are exp$ but it will be running great and you will have piece-of-mind your motor is updated. :eek: les

Thanks gentlemen for the great info, I will remove the valve cover this weekend and find out what I have, just bought the car last week. The freezer tric works good I remember it from working at a machine shop, thanks for reminding me, i't a lot better than hitting the guide in.
:eek: