Replacing valve seals & Nylon oil shields

[Brad S.]

I've got a set of Fel-Pro valve seals with 8 intake & 8 exhaust seals. The box was not opened before.
I did not get the nylon oil shields the manual talks about??? The shields that are attached to the retainers.
Did some searches and read about the shields being not used on the older, 93-94 IDI motors??
What say the more experienced among us, thanks all.

 

[jaluhn83]

I think the shields were only used on 6.9 motors, the 7.3 IDIs used rubber positive seals on all valves. I remember something about the original seal design actually being too good and causing valve guide wear due to oil starvation but I think they changed the design to fix that.

Bottom line, those seals should work fine, just make sure they're on all the way and be careful to not cut the lip putting them over the stems.

 

[icanfixall]

In my felpro gasket set the intake valve seals are black rubber with a spring keeping them tight to the valve stem. The exhaust seals are much differant. They do not connect to the heads at all. They are white ot lite brown plastic and they snap into the bottom of the spring retainer. Not down on the guidea like the intake... Very differant looking seals...

 

[Kevin 007]

Might be a good idea to go to some 6.9 seals to prevent premature valve guide failure. If I ever do head work on a 7.3 again, I will be putting 6.9 seals on it. I actaully vowed not to buy another 7.3 due to valve guide issues.

 

[hesutton]

Brad, the shop that did my head, used a different valve seal that the usual. They have a teflon bushing where they contact the valve stem. They fit tightly over the valve guide like the factory intake seals. I have aftermarket valve guides in those heads, and IIRC, they recommended those seals with those guides. Photos below.

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Heath