Valve spring, Umbrella seal

[and1stp]

K, After removing the valve covers on my '55 Olds, discovered what looks like rubber seals on-top of the valve springs, below the rocker arms, two were split/damaged/missing. I was told they call them umbrella seals. What's involved in replacing them. Also what is their use. I freeked out for a bit thinking that was apart of the cap/retainer to hold the spring down. Is this left for a ace mechanic or something a newbie can do? (Though did this kind of stuff in H/S, now 47).

Thanks,

AND1stp

[ozoneblue]

#1 you need a air compressor & fitting to screw into spark plug hole then a valve spring compressor and a Hammer to break the keepers loose Note flush heads with oil & drain it, the old keepers will plug the oil pump screen PIECE OF CAKE

[and1stp]

Thanks Ozone,

Can you remove the springs with out taking off the Rocker arm rod assembly?

[and1stp]

I got my new seals. The old ones sit on top of the valve spring. The new seales (umbrella) look much different. I'm told the sit on the bottom of the valve stem against the head. Anyone fill me in on the particulars?

Thanks,

and1stp

[Oldsguy]

You are right, and the way they wrap over the head is like an umbrella, hence the name.

[and1stp]

K, I think I've got it now. The old style seal, made of plastic, sat on-top of the valve/retainer. The new style seal (looks like an umbrella, made of rubber) fits on the the valve stem, pushed to the bottom, resting on the head. Spring sits on-top of the umbrella. Basicly the seals, preventing oil seeping down the valve stem. So as I have been researching, send air into the cylinder to hold the valves, compress the spring, remove the keepers and replace the seals. Yep, GET-ER-DONE.

Thanks for all the imput guys!