• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

Whats a valve seal, how important?

  • Thread starter Thread starter GoBlue
  • Start date Start date
G

GoBlue

Guest
I just got a 78' 550 running after about 5 yrs of sitting. I love all the information on how to get it going correctly, btw. I was surfing for parts when I came across valve seals (viton) for the 2v engine (which is what I assume mine is), and Im wondering if its something I should consider changing. I am about to go in and adjust the valve clearances, do those even relate? Do they improve anything by replacing?
 
Last edited:
valve stem seals keep oil from running down the valve into the combustion chamber. valve stem seals are under the valve springs. To replace valve stem seals, the springs have to be compressed and the keepers removed and the valve springs removed. It might be possible to replace them with the cylinder head on the bike, but it would be a pita. By the time valve stem seals would be needed the rings would likely need replacing also. Engine out of bike or head off bike would be a better time to think about valve stem seals. Valve stem seals are NOT routine maintenance.
 
surviverguy said:
By the time valve stem seals would be needed the rings would likely need replacing also.
Click to expand...

An engine that has sat forever could need new seals even with zero miles and perfect rings.

If it's not smoking oil smoke at start up your valve stem seals are good enough.
 
tkent02 said:
An engine that has sat forever could need new seals even with zero miles and perfect rings.

If it's not smoking oil smoke at start up your valve stem seals are good enough.
Click to expand...

I agree with that- and well said.
 
I'd even say "if it's not smoking A LOT" at start-up, the valve stem seals are good enough. Valve stem seals are a pita with engine complete and installed on bike. Engine or head off bike- good time to replace valve stem seals if condition is even questionable.
 
surviverguy said:
I'd even say "if it's not smoking A LOT" at start-up, the valve stem seals are good enough. Valve stem seals are a pita with engine complete and installed on bike. Engine or head off bike- good time to replace valve stem seals if condition is even questionable.
Click to expand...

Yep, a little puff once a day is nothing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top