International 454 valve stem seals

[peter twibell]

Hi, does any one know if its possible to change the valve stem seals without removing the head? I thought I may be able to make a spring compressor to clamp to the rocker post and put each piston at TDC to hold the valve but wont try unles its possible. 20 odd years ago I fitted pistons and liners but did nothing to the head, although its only done about 30 hours since then I am sure the seals must be duff.

 

[DJ54]

I have taken old spark plugs, knocked the porcelain out of them and brazed a 1/4" pipe sleeve to it that fits a male air coupling fitting. Put it in the plug hole of the cylinder you wish to remove the keepers & spring. Roll engine over until the valves are fully closed, then put the air to it, usually 120 psi, what my compressor builds up to. It will hold it in place, until the job is done.

They may even make something like that, but I have plenty of "stuff" around to make them for various plug sizes.

 

[peter twibell]

I have taken old spark plugs, knocked the porcelain out of them and brazed a 1/4" pipe sleeve to it that fits a male air coupling fitting. Put it in the plug hole of the cylinder you wish to remove the keepers & spring. Roll engine over until the valves are fully closed, then put the air to it, usually 120 psi, what my compressor builds up to. It will hold it in place, until the job is done.

They may even make something like that, but I have plenty of "stuff" around to make them for various plug sizes.

HI, thanks for the reply, had wonderd about removing the injectors and pumping air, will give it a go.

 

[chim]

I have taken old spark plugs, knocked the porcelain out of them and brazed a 1/4" pipe sleeve to it that fits a male air coupling fitting. Put it in the plug hole of the cylinder you wish to remove the keepers & spring. Roll engine over until the valves are fully closed, then put the air to it, usually 120 psi, what my compressor builds up to. It will hold it in place, until the job is done.

They may even make something like that, but I have plenty of "stuff" around to make them for various plug sizes.

Many years ago I did the seals in a Dodge Ramcharger like that. The car shop in town had adaptors like you made. It was much easier than I thought it would be. A cobbled-together momentary switch to bump the engine was very handy.

 

[tcartwri]

The guides do 90% of the oil control. So just putting new seals on will not change the oil consumption very much.

 

[ModMech]

I prefer to stuff a length of rope into the cylinder, then bar up towards TDC. Nothing worse than dropping the valve into the cylinder because the seat leaks too much

 

[peter twibell]

Hi ModMech, hadnt thought of that, do you mean drop down the injector hole then pull out after , sounds o/k I must be thick. Thanks and kind regards peter, a thick Yorshire man.