No valve seals needed??? Really???

[FMPreacher]

9N / s/n 9N137387 / 2pc valve guides & mushroom valves / 12 volt conversion / restoring her to work!
I've rebuilt many overhead valve engines but this is my first Flat head. During removal of the valve assy's I noticed there wasn't any type of valve seals used anywhere. Checked FO4 manual and no mention of any seals used. Is this correct? Did I overlook something? Is there a home brew plan for adding seals? Or is this another one of those keep it simple things!

 

[teddy52food]

The oil drains down away from the guides. What little oil they get, they need to keep from wearing out.

 

[ZANE]

The valve stems use no seals. Only the intake guides use seals on their outside circumference.

Zane

 

[FMPreacher]

Zane could you elaborate more on this PLEASE. I have the rebuild gasket kit #8N6008M that has 8 orings that look as if they are valve seals. I figured that they were for the later year engines with 1 piece guides. It seemed apparent there wasn't anywhere on the 2 piece guides to install a seal. But I'm a rookie on these engines. It be a catastrophe to leave the seals off and it really need them.
Thank You all for your help and concerns!!!

 

[Dell (WA)]

FMPreacher........not only that, when you gitta overhaul kit, they provide 8-washers (seals) and you ONLY use 4 on INTAKES only. Tip: BOIL yer valve seals so they will stretch over the tulips. NOTE: unlike the later adjustable tappet valves, the "tulip" stem valves are "ground" for clearance. And iff'n you grind too much stem, then guess what??? You regrind the valve head or block seat. (counter intuitive, I know)

Unlike OHV and OHC engines, the flathead valve clearances are NOT too critical as long as they are the same. A too-wide valve gap will TAPPA-TAPPA and be very noticeable. And BTW, too wide is better'n too narrow. (2-narrow exhaust will BURN) .......Dell

 

[agjim]

The seals are made to seal the vacuum between the guide and block more than to seal oil. If the intake guide leaks vacuum you will have an idling problem

 

[don b1]

Dell.....just a heads up.....there were NO seals on the split valve guides,ever. don b

 

[R Geiger]

(quoted from post at 09:10:18 10/25/11) 9N / s/n 9N137387 / 2pc valve guides & mushroom valves / 12 volt conversion / restoring her to work!
I've rebuilt many overhead valve engines but this is my first Flat head. During removal of the valve assy's I noticed there wasn't any type of valve seals used anywhere. Checked FO4 manual and no mention of any seals used. Is this correct? Did I overlook something? Is there a home brew plan for adding seals? Or is this another one of those keep it simple things!

If I was doing an overhaul and had the split type of guide guides and tulip valves, I would replace it all with the newer valves and guides and adjustable lifters. Just :wink: my thoughts!

 

[GB in MT.]

(quoted from post at 10:59:46 10/25/11)

(quoted from post at 09:10:18 10/25/11) 9N / s/n 9N137387 / 2pc valve guides & mushroom valves / 12 volt conversion / restoring her to work!
I've rebuilt many overhead valve engines but this is my first Flat head. During removal of the valve assy's I noticed there wasn't any type of valve seals used anywhere. Checked FO4 manual and no mention of any seals used. Is this correct? Did I overlook something? Is there a home brew plan for adding seals? Or is this another one of those keep it simple things!

If I was doing an overhaul and had the split type of guide guides and tulip valves, I would replace it all with the newer valves and guides and adjustable lifters. Just :wink: my thoughts!

b:891fad8f23][i:891fad8f23]

I totally agree Bob;
That's what I did, and very glad i spent the extra $$'s.....Piece of cake, to adjust!!!!

Gary [/i:891fad8f23][/b:891fad8f23]

 

[teddy52food]

Right. He is used to working on overhead valve heads which use valve stem seals which the flathead 4 doesn't need.