I was looking at the guides provided by the usual suppliers but they don't have the groove in the top. Presumably this is where this type of seal locates? Last time I looked at my current ones the same looking type of seals were either not seated on the guide or missing altogether, they had reappeared in parts in the sump.
So, are the 'superior' Viton type http://www.minispares.com/product/class ... 01160.aspx worth the little extra?
Probably because they didn't have a groove to hold them in place... And were they from this well respected supplier?? But no harm in the viton ones - just seem a bit unnecessary.
Head where they have detached themselves from is on the van at the moment . It came from one of the Minor parts suppliers. It's a spare head that will be refurbed to facilitate a quick swap over. We are apart at the moment, a forced separation but from memory the guides didn't have the grooves as I am sure I've had to push the seals back down onto the guides in the past. As the sump had all the bits of hardened rubber and bits of spring I thought it better to go for something a bit longer lasting. At £1.82 each, one of those rare ocassions where I can say "3 times the price of normal ones, to hell with the expense"...
On an 803 unleaded head (fitted by the PO I hasten to add before the barrage of criticism), the 'top hat' seals in the link above were fitted. No problems with them. I did wonder about the other 'o' ring type and how effective they would be, given the valve up/down movement?
My other BL car with 1275 will be having a decoke soon and new seals will be fitted, as the oil consumption at motorway speeds is verging on excessive. I rarely use additive and it does a considerable mileage so will be interesting to see if VSR is taking place...
When you have the head off it - could you please let me know what size inlet valves are fitted? I believe the Maestro had the larger 35mm valves (and the MG camshaft) - but I don't know anything of the Allegro.
I think I'll try the viton ones as they are only a bit more and as mentioned the previous ones fell apart.
