Head off

[NETTIE]

Hi guys just about to order a top end gasket set (copper) could any one advise are the valve stem seals in these sets of a good quality or should i buy them separately only doing the job because i suspect they are my start up smoke
Thank you

[CaliTrav]

Think those tiny o ring seals are of limited use in my experience. Most had broken off when I did mine, and on replacement it was no better or worse.

Top Hat seals are the ones to go for but you'd need the later valve guides with the recessed groove for the retaining spring.

[philthehill]

The tiny 'O' ring seals are next to useless in stopping oil from going down the valve guides.
There is no need for the valve guide shroud either which was found by BMC to be ineffective in keeping oil from the valve guides and were discontinued in production. Therefore the shrouds can be discarded.
The top hat seals are the way to go but you do need the correct length valve guides with the retaining groove.
If your engine is either 803cc, 948cc or 1098cc you need the shorter valve guides from ESM which have the top hat seal retaining groove.
https://www.morrisminorspares.com/engin ... l-p1209547
The 1275cc engine head has longer valve guides and those valve guides with top hat retaining groove must be fitted to the 1275cc head.
https://www.morrisminorspares.com/engin ... c-p1180438
The top hat seals only need to be fitted to the inlet valve guides (no matter that they are supplies by ESM as sets of eight) as the exhaust valve stems/guides need all the oil they can get.
https://www.morrisminorspares.com/engin ... e-p1238953
These are the best valve stem seals you can get:-http://www.minispares.com/product/Class ... o%20search

[NETTIE]

Wow very informative thank you
I presume i will need guides and valves and also a machine shop job..
Also which valve spring tool would you recommend..

[philthehill]

You may be able to get away with using the original valves if the valve stems are not worn.
You should have the valve seats either ground or machined to suit the new valve guides as the original seats may not be concentric to the new guides
The valve spring compressor I use is a Sykes Pickavant item similar to the one in the link below.
http://www.minispares.com/product/Class ... o%20search
There are plenty for similar valve spring compressors for sale on 'e' bay.
It would be good to know what head you have fitted to your engine. The casting number is on the top face of the head and may be 12G202 for a 1098cc engine.

[oliver90owner]

Just as an aside - there is no need to remove the head, if just changing valve stem seals.

[philthehill]

Replacing the original 'O' ring seals with new 'O' ring seals is a waste of time.
I would advise against fitting the top hat seals without fitting the correct valve guides.
New valve guides can only be fitted after the head has been removed.
If the top hat seals are fitted without using the correct valve guides there is a high probability that the top hat seals will become displaced and ultimately chewed to pieces and you will be back to square one with rubber possibly blocking the oil ways.

[NETTIE]

Thanks guys
I always follow the saying (do it once do it right) i will strip down and see what we have
The traveller is an April 1970 and the new engine was fitted 2015 and has only done about 700 miles allegedly.
We will see and i will let you know