Valve stem seals for RB 440

[Wietse]

Hey all,

I am doing some work on my 440 engine, as i will have to remove and replace all valve springs i wanted to replace the valve stems seals as well.
Engine is not using much oil and barely smokes so the old ones are not bad but anyway better to install new ones i guess.
I had a engine seal kit from Sealed Power, 260-1001 which comes with 3 sets of 8pcs of seals but i have no idea what goes where.
Currently all valve stem seals installed are all the same, high umbrella type seals (brown colour) but these are a little different.
I am thinking the high umbrella (left one) goes on the intake valve and the lowest one (right one) goes on the exhaust valve.
But where is the middle one for then??

Anyone any suggestions?

Thx!

 

[91r/t]

I remember for the small block they used to include two types in the kits. The hooded ones were for the intake on the valve stem and the non hooded doughnut one was for the exhaust. So in your case, Middle on intake and right on exhaust. The first ones of left are taller than the normal ones I have seen in all the kits. The umbrella type keeps the oil from getting sucked into the valve during the intake stroke The exhaust side just gets the doughnut and keeps residual oil away from the valve stem. I have used the umbrella type (middle type)on all the valves before with no problem. Male sure you push the intake ones down to the bottom of the valve especially as they will seal nice and stay there.

 

[493 Mike]

The center style fits on a machined guide, not all were machined.
Mike

 

[RJRENTON]

My thoughts...
I have used Perfect Circle teflon type that used a "garter" spring sround the base, to kerp them in place. However, this seal required the machining of the guide to accommodate the seal. Since the head was off anyway, this is no big deal.....check valve to guide specs anyway. If too loose, consider machining for bronze guides. The teflon type seals were reputed to cause valve stem wear because they did a good job of wiping oil from the valve stem, causing a gaulling. I never had that problem. Just be careful of the underside of the retainer to seal clearance at max valve lift....interference will damage the seal. Just my opinion of course.
BOB RENTON

 

[91r/t]

The center style fits on a machined guide, not all were machined.
Mike

Makes sense to me. I just always used the mushroom style on all valves from the Mopar kits.

 

[wyrmrider]

so are guides machined?
rubber seals do not last on center two exhausts for motorhome or towing- or long term on anything so if you have the heads off sometime machine the guides
viton seals are best

 

[Wietse]

Guides seem not machined with a recess or so to lock a valve seal in place, see picture.
All valves now have the same brown coloured umbrella style valve stem seal installed.
I have no plans to remove the heads so i will have to deal with what i have here.
It feels like the shortest of them is a little harder material.
The middle length will sit quite snug on the valve stem guide, not sure if that will stay in place for sure.
The longest and shortest umbrella's will just move together with the valve, they are not getting tight on the valve stem guide.
That the kit includes 8 of each is strange, i can only assume 1 type is for the intake valve and the other type is for the exhaust valve.
But what to use where now?

 

[Wietse]

I assume these are the same seals i had in my kit.
https://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/fel-ss70014/overview/make/dodge

In the Q&A they ask about the 2 different types, there it states the small seal is for the exhaust valve and the tall one is for the intake valve.