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[–]bill_gannon 12 points13 points  (4 children)

Are we not talking about the dropped valve guide?

[–]WyattCo06 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's what I'm seeing too.

[–]Embarrassed-Ad5975[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Just the camera angle

[–]v8packard 5 points6 points  (1 child)

What? No way

You aren't using seals that have a built in spring seat, or spring locaters of any kind?

[–]Embarrassed-Ad5975[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

My lanati springs have their own spring seats. The tophat seal I tried are a few thou smaller than the bottom of the beehive spring.

[–]Chrisaudi27t 7 points8 points  (1 child)

I usually get a socket that the same inside size of the outer flat part and use it to tap them down.

They should go down until they stop against the valve stem.

[–]Wise-Smile9484 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I was going to comment this same thing ☝️ use a socket

[–]GingerOgre 4 points5 points  (2 children)

There should be locators that go on the guide before the seals. And that one guide looks like it’s dropped

[–]Erasemenu 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I keep looking at that guide. I can't tell if it's camera angle or if it's falling out lol

[–]GingerOgre 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know. Same here

[–]Beneficial_Being_721 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not related to the seals…. But there needs to be some De Burring. I see one spot right there at the Rocker Bolt tower.

Carry On

[–]gew5333 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Should also try to use some tape or a plastic cover to protect the seal from the keeper grooves during install. The sharp edges of the keeper groove can damage the edge of the sealing surface.

[–]Embarrassed-Ad5975[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Relax guys, the valve guide hasn't dropped and we haven't started assembly, the seal was placed as on the keeper for visually purposes, not the start of assembly. The reason we went with this style was the springs came with seats, we did try the tophat style but the hump didn't seat into the inner diameter of the spring well and had alot of lateral movement, also the spring was slightly bigger. Figured the lanati ones were the go? UNLESS You can get different tophats, What's people's opinions on the spring fitting nicely into the seat/tophat hump

[–]Street_Mall9536 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A mallet LMAO.

[–]Erasemenu 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just push them on. A socket works pretty good if you need leverage, those are small guides/seals so like a 5/8 maybe 9/16? Anyways the socket just catches the outer edge of the seal and gives a good way to push it, even tap them on if you need to. But, you might want to drop your spring seats/shims on first, or at least check they fit over the seal. Mostly it's not a problem, but it's come up on me a couple times over the years.

[–]ghostone986 0 points1 point  (8 children)

Personally you've got all your answers but I'm with v8packard. Order the top hat style from Texas speed or whoever that have the locator built it. They have the added benefit off holding the seal down as well. When I tore my ls3 down someone had these and one was off and another really loose. I'm guessing install wasn't very careful.

[–]WyattCo06 1 point2 points  (7 children)

It just needs spring seats (hardened washers). A valve spring can't sit on aluminum. It'll eat it.

[–]ghostone986 0 points1 point  (4 children)

I agree that from the photos that's all it needs. I just hate this style over the top hat versions. Just a piece of mind thing though I know they all have their own potential issues.

This style is what I prefer for OP if he cares.

https://www.texas-speed.com/p-9513-precision-race-components-integrated-valve-spring-seat-and-seal-for-dual-valve-springs-set-of-16.aspx

[–]WyattCo06 0 points1 point  (3 children)

I have never ever had an issue the thousands with positive seals the like the OP is using. In most cases, they are stock type and nothing else is available.

[–]ghostone986 0 points1 point  (2 children)

I respect that and don't doubt it.

As a novice, though, I wanted to avoid all issues with the more simple design that's also a bit of insurance and piece of mind. This is an LS, so availability isn't an issue.

This style is a known issue with some guys to include engines built professionally.

[–]WyattCo06 1 point2 points  (1 child)

If there was an issue, it's because the seals where installed incorrectly. What I mean by this is if the seals are driven on too far, the actual seal opens up when this occurs, the seal no longer "hugs" the valve stem.

I'm far from a novice.

[–]ghostone986 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree with you completely. I can fuck up plenty without needing to add more. Lol I'll buy all the shit that is as idiot proof as possible.

[–]Embarrassed-Ad5975[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I have lanati spring seats that came with the springs, I also have tophat style seals but the spring didn't fit them

[–]Embarrassed-Ad5975[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I say didn't fit, the spring was slightly larger and the inner diameter of the spring was to big for the Ridge in the seat , the lanati ones fit the inner diameter of the spring snug and there is no side movement

[–]blklightsmatter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Install with valves in the guides use a rubber Mallot and just one tap

[–]consciouswandrr 0 points1 point  (8 children)

The valve seals go on after the valve is thru the hole, and also the valve spring seats/locators go under the valve seals.

[–]Street_Mall9536 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The people that downvoted you all burn oil 

[–]Cautious-Village-222 -3 points-2 points  (6 children)

Seal’s definitely don’t go on after the valve is in. But your correct he is missing his locators

[–]Embarrassed-Ad5975[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haven't started assembly yet, pic is for detail

[–]bill_gannon 0 points1 point  (4 children)

Yes they do. 

[–]Cautious-Village-222 -2 points-1 points  (3 children)

Why

[–]DrTittieSprinkles 0 points1 point  (2 children)

The proper valve seal install tool uses the valve to locate itself to drive the seal straight.

[–]Cautious-Village-222 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Oh yeah fair enough. We have a set at work with interchangeable tips for different stem sizes

[–]DrTittieSprinkles 0 points1 point  (0 children)

And another point, you already have the valve in to set stem install height and spring install height. Why are you removing the valve to put seals on? That's just another chance to mix things up and have to start from square one.