Pieces of something under 383 valve cover??

[MikeyM]

Hello again, happy Sunday.

In changing valve cover gaskets today, I found these two lovely pieces in the front lower portion of the passenger side cylinder head when I remove the valve cover. I cannot see any visible broken pieces so I am assuming they have come from somewhere else? I realize this is a longshot, but might anyone have any idea what these pieces might be part of?

Thanks very much,
Mikey

 

[roadrunnerh]

valve stem seal?

 

[Charles Cook]

^^^^^^^^

 

[kiwigtx]

valve stem seal?

Yup. ^^^^

^^^^^^^^

100%

 

[toolmanmike]

X3 agree. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[davek]

 

[MWbirdLOVER70]

valve stem seal?

X2 the umbrella seals over guides . Hope none partially plugging pickup? She smoke a little at start up and then goes away?

 

[WileE]

What they said, and you should consider doing repairs very quickly.

 

[MikeyM]

Crap.

X2 the umbrella seals over guides . Hope none partially plugging pickup? She smoke a little at start up and then goes away?

Yup. Not always but sometimes. Blue smoke, too. Oil.

Well, winter is upon us so might as well put her to sleep for the season and git er done.

Thanks, everyone,
Mikey

 

[mmissile]

That's how I lost the 440 in my Hurst 300. Ran great, but ended up taking out the oil system. I was a dumb kid, and hadn't taken the valve covers off. Didn't know what the chunks were, in the drain oil.

 

[MikeyM]

Definitely not bueno. Can the oil pan be removed with the engine in the car??

Edit - looks like so, with patience and a little finageling, if the center link is removed. Any tips on this? I have read a couple older posts on it.

Missile - did the seal pieces plug your oil pick up?

 

[Dave6T4]

I have dropped the pan with 440 still in my '64 Polara. Tie rod needs to be dropped. Some of the pan bolts around the front corners of the pan can be hard to get to, but will come out. With the pan off, you might consider adding a windage tray, if your motor does not have one.
Stem seals can be changed without pulling the heads. You will need an air hose fitting that screws into the spark plug hole, to hold the valves closed with compressed air. You can then collapse the valve spring with a special spring compressor. This will allow you to pull the valve stem locks and retainers, then the springs. It is a tedious job (16 times), but can be accomplished with moderate skills.

 

[MikeyM]

Thanks Dave, Last time I did a similar job, it was on a SBC about 35 years ago. Man, how time flies.

Thanks again, all.
Mikey