HarleyTechTalk

Technical Forums => Iron Head => Topic started by: 73ironhead on November 11, 2008, 03:27:57 PM

Title: Valve seals
Post by: 73ironhead on November 11, 2008, 03:27:57 PM

Hya people, just re-did the top and a valve seized after only 55miles; took it to the machine shop and discovered they had put a seal on the stem that I did not see on the book. Seal or no seal?

cheers, Lazio


-patience is passion tamed
Title: Re: Valve seals
Post by: jmanjeff on November 11, 2008, 03:52:19 PM
stock did not have a seal 
Vave guide oil seals will require machining of valve guide and / or collar to get the correct overall guide height
Title: Re: Valve seals
Post by: help-u2 on November 11, 2008, 06:36:13 PM
jman correct.. no seal stock.  and not really needed.  let some oil get to guides/valve.
that and/or clearances is why it seized.   i dont know what combo you using...
i use a bronze guide with stainless valve on my hot rod.  yepper it puffs a bit.  just like my XR racer did/sposta.  one quart every 1000 miles is normal...
too bad the machine shop took it on themselves to change it for you.  they should change it back for free...
Title: Re: Valve seals
Post by: 73ironhead on November 12, 2008, 10:26:39 AM

thanks...machine shop will change for free and..I never minded peeling the engine one extra time...L.
Title: Re: Valve seals
Post by: saltcaveminer on November 13, 2008, 02:20:50 PM
yes valve seals were not stock but i would like to know more about what combination was installed.valve seals did not cause the seized valveSalty
Title: Re: Valve seals
Post by: fulldress79 on November 13, 2008, 05:23:38 PM
Make sure there is enough valve stem to guide clearance.Air cooled motors of course need more than water cooled. bring them the factory clearance specs to be sure
Title: Re: Valve seals
Post by: 73ironhead on November 17, 2008, 08:14:24 PM
there is no escaping Salty..good on'ya mate, you're right it wasn't the seal that seized the valve but a combination of ; 1. overheated engine during break-in...2.bronze guide instead of iron; the R. EX. bronze guide actually came loose ...I think the machine shop was training a new mechanic on me...whatever...did not charge the second time but had to paint the whole thing again.....L.
Title: Re: Valve seals
Post by: saltcaveminer on November 18, 2008, 12:53:26 PM
I'm glad the valve issue is resolved.now on the break in try to follow the S&S break in procedure.(short run times at first 30 sec,60sec,90sec,etc.with full comedowns in between.no hot rodding for at least 1200mi.Salty
Title: Re: Valve seals
Post by: 73ironhead on November 18, 2008, 05:16:20 PM
yea, I read about the heat cycle and I may change to a bigger jet for the break-in phase 'cause she's running real thin...L.