Valve spring, Umbrella seal

and1stp · September 25th, 2006, 07:12 PM

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 · September 25th, 2006, 07:26 PM

#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 · September 27th, 2006, 04:48 AM

Thanks Ozone,

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

and1stp · September 28th, 2006, 07:32 PM

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 · September 29th, 2006, 06:22 AM

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

and1stp · September 29th, 2006, 08:06 PM

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!

September 25th, 2006, 07:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
and1stp Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 44	Valve spring, Umbrella seal 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

September 25th, 2006, 07:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
ozoneblue Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 503	Valve seals #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

September 27th, 2006, 04:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
and1stp Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 44	Thanks! Thanks Ozone, Can you remove the springs with out taking off the Rocker arm rod assembly?

September 29th, 2006, 06:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
Oldsguy Hot Rodder at heart Administrator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lees Summit MO Posts: 5,360	You are right, and the way they wrap over the head is like an umbrella, hence the name. __________________ Dan '77 Cutlass Supreme '46 2 door "The rocket 455.....it's a sledgehammer approach to a thumbtack world" LuxBlue of HAMB.

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September 28th, 2006, 07:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
and1stp Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 44	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

September 29th, 2006, 08:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
and1stp Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 44	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!

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