• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

Valve stem seals or double springs?

Share this page

B

billspit

Jedi Knight
Country flag
Offline
I got a call from the head shop yesterday asking me if I wanted to install seals on the valve guides. I know Spitfires do not use them as standard and I was planning on using the double European spring set I got. If you use double springs, no seal will fit. What is the opinion of you guys? Use the seals and drop in the inner spring? Or stay with the double springs? This car won't likely get a lot of mileage since my Mk I hasn't. I felt the valve actually needed and little lube on them for longevity.

Also, with all of the trouble with cams and lifters these days, I've seen a lot posted that you should only use one valve spring until the engine is broken in. Then install the inner spring. This is mainly for high performance engines and mine is only a slightly breathed on 1500. Do you think it is necessary to leave the inner spring off at first?? I really don't want to try and do this on the engine later by myself.
 
Bill if it were mine I would put it together with new valves and guides reamed to spec. put in the double springs and go.I personally don't like seals on an engine designed to run without them, however if your putting a head together reusing old valves, guides,then I would look at clearences closely and possibly use seals.
I'm not convinced that hd valve springs are the problem as much as inferior lifters and possibly cams.
If possible I would have lifters checked for rockwell hardness. I have used BPNW lifters on several engine jobs and had them checked for hardness on my own motor and found them to be well within spec.usually at 56- 60 rockwell.Haven't had any cam troubles yet. JMO
 
Billspit,

I installed the double springs on my recent head rebuild. There were two reasons;
1.) The cause for the rebuild was a broken spring which caused a dropped valve (into the cylinder). I figured that the inner spring would help to insure that a future broken spring would not release the keeper and allow the valve to drop.
2.) The advisor at British Parts Northwest said that the increased spring pressure was negligible.

Keep on
 
Thanks for the feedback. They have finished the head with double springs. No seals used. BTW, I had brand new valves and guides installed.
 
so i have a rebuilt head with old valves and new iron guides. should i have my seals removed? they put them there when they built it up, without asking. i should probably at least ask why.
 
I went with seals this time, in the event that I decide to install an oiler again. It may never happen, but if I do, I'm covered this time.
 
Back
Top