How to Install Valve Seals in a 350 Engine
Prolonged use of car results in the hardening of valve seals in a 350 engine and can lead to leakage if they are not replaced timely. Purpose of seals it to prevent oil from oozing out to the combustion chamber. Due to regular contact with fluids inside the engine, seals wear down with the passage of time and need to be replaced. A faulty seal can lead to a decrease in levels of mineral oil in the engine, and can result in release of black smoke from the exhaust of the vehicle.
Things Required:
– Wrench
– Screwdriver
– Spark Plug Socket
Instructions
-
1
Give your vehicle about 30 minutes time to cool down if you just came from a drive. Pop the hood, locate the battery cables and disconnect the negative battery cable with the help of wrench. Place the wire 6 inches clear of the terminal. Put insulation in between them if length of wire is not long enough.
-
2
Put the transmission in ‘Parking’ if it’s an automatic transmission vehicle or put it in the neutral gear in case of manual transmission and apply parking brakes.
-
3
Identify spark plug wire cables which connect the spark plugs to their respective slots in the distributor chamber and use correction fluid to clean up the outer surface of the distributor cap.
-
4
Use pliers to grab the boot of the spark plug cable and disconnect it from the plug. Identify the spark plug, put the socket wrench around it and rotate it anti clock wise to take it off. Take out the outer screws on the outer surface of the distributor body with the help of a screw driver. Remove the distributor cap with your hand and place it on the table.
-
5
You will have to align the position of the crankshaft with the help of the socket wrench till it points in the direction of the distribution chamber. If your car has a fuel injection mechanism installed on top of the distribution chamber, you will have to put it aside as well.
-
6
After taking off the top of the chamber, identify the valves present inside the body. Remove the bolts covering the valves and take them out one by one. Separate the locker arm from the main body of distributor so that you can access the valve seals.
-
7
Use pliers to take off the seal and install new one in its place. Make sure it is fixed properly in its place, using your thumb to squeeze the seal as hard as you can.
