I am wanting to change out the valve seals on a 72 455 with GA heads. The heads appear to have been rebuilt,but I think that #1 cylinder head has an oil leak possibly from the valve seats. Spark plug has oil on it I pulled the rockers and remove the spring to replace the stem seals but spring would not go over the seals. the kit that I bought had the umbrella seals.bigger than what is on here already. I took them back since they did not fit. What kind of seal do I have? please see the picture.

 

You have PC seals, guides should be machined for them. Probably have smaller than stock I.D on your springs as well, thats why the umbrella ones won't fit. If the seal was tight on the guide unless they're damaged somehow that's probably not your oil problem. Yank the intake and exhaust and see if you have oil or deposits on the backs of the valves. If you do, you may have a cracked or excessively worn guide and/or valve stem. If not, it's probably rings.

 

Ditto on what Mark just said.

To add to this...

These are not my favorite seals.
I have used these in the past, and they do not seem to have good oil control after several thousand miles.
The ones I have used seemed to wallow out, or wear just a little (even though the guides were PERFECT), and then direct oil into the guide.
Go to a VITON (rubberized positive seal) unit, and they should last another 100k miles, with no issues.
Here is a selection, stay away from the seals that totally white, I have used the ones with teflon rings successfully.
http://www.goodson.com/store/templat...f98d70f43e6ea4
These seals seem to be more for someone who runs 2/3 spring setup, and will be taking it down again at the end of the season.
This is what I have experienced.
Jim

 

thanks for the information . I am going to give Goodson a call on Monday and order a set. If replacing the seals dont work then I will pull the heads.

 

I gave Goodson a call today and they wanted to know what size valves I have. I do not have any idea about what size they are? Any one knows how I can tell what size they are?

 

I am sure they don't care about the head diameter.
They want stem diameter.
If you had those white pc seals on it before, you will need a 11/32nds X .500" seal. I would say that the guides were cut down to 1/2 inch, if it was done correctly.
The valve has an 11/32nds stem, and the thing will grip on a .500" guide.
The link I attached was on the correct seals to start with.
Lubricate the top of the guide when you install.
Remember.....11/32 X .500
Jim

 

Thanks I ordered a set