New valve seals fail

[1pieceatatime]

Just had a comeback on a HG job, tore down and found several failed valve seals. We used the valve seals that come in the Victor Reinz head sets. This would be the 3rd truck that got done with these valve seals. Did we get a bum batch of valve seals? Are the Victors junk? Or should I be pointing a finger at the machine shop that did the heads? This is probably truck number 6 or 7 in a years time. My buddy I work with has probably done twice as many as that with another guy, same machine shop, never an issue.

Anyone got any thoughts, opinions or experiences?

 

[Slowmax]

x2

 

[meshanic]

What were the symptoms that caused the customer to bring it back? I use the same sets all the time & haven't had any trouble.

 

[1pieceatatime]

What were the symptoms that caused the customer to bring it back? I use the same sets all the time & haven't had any trouble.

White smoke and oil consumption. We got a puff out of it on first fire up but didn't notice anything on test drive or after. We pulled the manifolds and found 3 cylinders leaking oil into the exhaust so we dug deeper and found a bunch of failed and separating seals.

 

[hondarider552]

My first set of heads were torn, machine shop put them in dry instead of lubricated, that's the only way they fail.

 

[delong_1]

I had a set fail within the first 100 miles. Oem is all I will run now

 

[1pieceatatime]

My first set of heads were torn, machine shop put them in dry instead of lubricated, that's the only way they fail.

I have a set of victors and felpros in my tool box. I did notice the felpros come with little condoms for installation.

I'm gonna change these seals in the truck. Anyone got any tips?

 

[LBZ]

Lube them up. If your valves don't have any knicks in the stems there isn't much more you can do.
FWIW I had a stock valve that had a knick in in it above the seal right from factory. Not sure how that happened but something to watch for.

 

[1pieceatatime]

My first set of heads were torn, machine shop put them in dry instead of lubricated, that's the only way they fail.

Well, now that I'm finally into this thing, pretty sure they drove them on. Most are deformed around the top of the tin and sliced at the top like they where driven to far down on the guide. I'm pretty excited about this

 

[Gmclbz]

Well, now that I'm finally into this thing, pretty sure they drove them on. Most are deformed around the top of the tin and sliced at the top like they where driven to far down on the guide. I'm pretty excited about this

What machine shop?

 

[1pieceatatime]

What machine shop?

UAP up here in Utica. Basically one of 2 games in town and the only one thats worth a fiddlers ****. I kind of wish they weren't a close business acquaintance, the amount of personal favors we do back and forth means I can't really unload the tirade I'd like to. Just need to be clear that this can't happen again.

 

[Gmclbz]

UAP up here in Utica. Basically one of 2 games in town and the only one thats worth a fiddlers ****. I kind of wish they weren't a close business acquaintance, the amount of personal favors we do back and forth means I can't really unload the tirade I'd like to. Just need to be clear that this can't happen again.

Yeah, that's a bit of wasted time.

 

[1pieceatatime]

Yeah, that's a bit of wasted time.

Thats an understatement, and I think I've got another one to fix


Anyone know of a good valve spring compressor that works well on the truck? I built a crude one quick, needs some refinement. I would buy a nice one that would make the job go a little faster if there is something available.

 

[meshanic]

x2. I suspect I have one to do in the near future

 

[Chevy1925]

i used a little one from sears that works pretty well. just gotta be sure you collapse enough spring to get the keepers out

 

[hondarider552]

You mean, you don't use a hammer like I do at Cat?

 

[1pieceatatime]

i used a little one from sears that works pretty well. just gotta be sure you collapse enough spring to get the keepers out

Got a link? The one I find looks like one I borrowed that didn't work.

You mean, you don't use a hammer like I do at Cat?

I suppose I could. You want me to give a try and post the results ?

 

[delong_1]

if you pm me your number i can send you pics of the one i used to swap springs with the heads still on the truck.

 

[meshanic]

PM sent

 

[Hot COCOAL]

When you guys are swapping out springs with the heads still on the engine, do you get the cylinder you're working on to TDC or pressurize the cylinder with air to keep the valves from dropping?