andygood Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Hi all, I got the cylinder head off my car last night and the new upper gasket kit arrived today, so I have a few questions before proceeding... 1: Stem Seals - I can't source a valve stem seal pliers anywhere locally, and it'll take about two weeks to get one ordered! Would seating and pushing them on by hand work out, or am I heading for a train wreck?! If so I'll just leave the current ones in there... 2: Lapping - I also can't source a lapping tool. I've read about a trick using a length of dowel and a hot glue gun on the face of the valve... Should I, or shouldn't I?! 3: Cam Bearing Caps - One of them leaked some 'black stuff' on opening. Is this anything to worry about? 4: Water channels - Some of the water channels are a bit blocked up with gunge either side of the gasket on the block and on the cylinder head. Is this okay, or does it indicate some other problem? Is it safe to do a flush of the cooling system if it's in this state, or should I leave well enough alone? Ta much, A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Get the proper tools, any motor factors place will stock the pliers and valve grinding stuff (even ebay has it if required).... If you are stripping the head that far, you might as well get it chemical washed and cleaned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Bullitt Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Get the proper tools, any motor factors place will stock the pliers and valve grinding stuff (even ebay has it if required).... If you are stripping the head that far, you might as well get it chemical washed and cleaned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Bullitt Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Why didn't you order the tools & parts before taking the head off? Do the job properly otherwise it will cost you big bucks when it all goes wrong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 For the cost, you would be crazy not to do it properly.... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Chemico-Valve-Grinding-Paste-Lapping-Tool_W0QQitemZ370180364516QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_3?hash=item56307818e4&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1689|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Extra-Long-Valve-Stem-Seal-Removal-Tool-Remover-Pliers_W0QQitemZ310145672973QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Hand_Tools_Equipment?hash=item48361f670d&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1683|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50 Don't bother leaving the old ones in, if you have the head off, rather wait for the tools and do the job properly... Bear in mind, unless you have expertise to change the stem seals in situ you would have to do it all again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andygood Posted June 9, 2009 Author Share Posted June 9, 2009 Why didn't you order the tools & parts before taking the head off? Do the job properly otherwise it will cost you big bucks when it all goes wrong! Yeah, I hear you, but I'll be scrapping/breaking the car soon anyways, due to a combination of factors. (old, N/A, high mileage, not worth spending cash to keep it on the road, can't sell it, NCT/MOT due soon) So I'm just trying to get another couple of months out of it... Good excuse to move to a TT really... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andygood Posted June 9, 2009 Author Share Posted June 9, 2009 For the cost, you would be crazy not to do it properly.... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Chemico-Valve-Grinding-Paste-Lapping-Tool_W0QQitemZ370180364516QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_3?hash=item56307818e4&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1689|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Extra-Long-Valve-Stem-Seal-Removal-Tool-Remover-Pliers_W0QQitemZ310145672973QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Hand_Tools_Equipment?hash=item48361f670d&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1683|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50 Don't bother leaving the old ones in, if you have the head off, rather wait for the tools and do the job properly... Bear in mind, unless you have expertise to change the stem seals in situ you would have to do it all again. Thanks for the linkies! I never think of checking fleabay... Would you believe that most of the motor factors here give me these blank looks when I ask for them... The ones that do know what I'm on about just say 'Uhh, we wouldn't sell a lot of those, now!' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jello22 Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Thanks for the linkies! I never think of checking fleabay... Would you believe that most of the motor factors here give me these blank looks when I ask for them... The ones that do know what I'm on about just say 'Uhh, we wouldn't sell a lot of those, now!' ebay has always been a great resource for finding some decent parts...I share your pain when it comes mechanics in my neck of the woods as well.https://www.chrome-scene.com/smileys/36/1242750956/frown.gif Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul mac Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 you dont need the pliers to put the stem seals on but you definately need them take them off particularly the exhaust side as they will be baked on, grinding tool and paste Halfords, if your scraping the car forget about the sludge, come to think of it forget about the stem seals just get a new gasket and put the head back on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terminator Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Why did you take the head off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooter Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Why did you take the head off? yeah that! I've never known an NA to suffer from leaking stem seals, not saying it doesn't happen just that if they weren't smoking then I'd leave them alone especially after hearing your long (short!) term plans for the car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andygood Posted June 10, 2009 Author Share Posted June 10, 2009 Why did you take the head off? yeah that! I've never known an NA to suffer from leaking stem seals, not saying it doesn't happen just that if they weren't smoking then I'd leave them alone especially after hearing your long (short!) term plans for the car Copious white clouds from the exhaust, guzzling coolant and thick creamy oil... My short term plans were getting a bit too short... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andygood Posted June 10, 2009 Author Share Posted June 10, 2009 if your scraping the car forget about the sludge, come to think of it forget about the stem seals just get a new gasket and put the head back on Yeah, that was my angle, but I have the gear ordered now, so I'll hold on and do it properly. At this stage, it's as much about having a bit of fun by doing the job as it is about getting the car back on the road... Thanks, everyone, for the input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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