Valve stem seal

[naasaa]

What is the general consensus in use of valve stem seal in a 910 intake side?

I have fitted Garry Kemps valve guides, but have no seals.

Lars 

[andydclements]

They (Lotus original guides as well) are designed to use a small amount of oil to lubricate them, so seals will be detrimental in that respect.

[Chillidoggy]

If it helps, I’ve also just fitted Garry’s new valve guides, and can confirm what Andy said: No stem seals.

[drdoom]

Hadn't Garry offered the guides with seals in the past?

[Chillidoggy]

47 minutes ago, drdoom said:

Hadn't Garry offered the guides with seals in the past?

Maybe, but not the ones he supplied me for the rebuild. 

[naasaa]

I actually received the seals from Garry when I made my 1982 TE. 
Thats why I raised the question; to go with or without seals. 
 

[drdoom]

I'd be inclined to go with the seals on the inlet side. Best to attempt contact with GK for the last word on this, of course. 

[snowrx]

I fitted the seals that came with Kemps' guides, it seemed to make sense as all my other engines have had them. So far so good on a somewhat tuned motor.

[andydclements]

If he designed them to use seals then that's the way to go, my original post was to say don't try and fit seals to guides that haven't been designed from the outset to have them.

[naasaa]

21 hours ago, naasaa said:

I actually received the seals from Garry when I made my 1982 TE. 
Thats why I raised the question; to go with or without seals. 
 

What I mend is that last time I rebuild a 910 I did receive and used seals. But this time Garry didnt supply them with the new guides.
I havent succeeded in reaching Garry. But I got on hold with Pete from PNM, and he does not use seals when he rebuild engines.

Many engines were made in the past without seals. I just dont want that puf of blue smoke, and dont want to fowl the spark plug.

@Chillidoggyhave you run your engine yet without seals?

[Chillidoggy]

I certainly have, Lars.

It's run for 1,500 miles now, no smoke on the overrun, or any smoke at all, no fouled plugs, zero oil consumption. Garry's new guides are made from some special material, 'Titan', was it? I cannot remember. anyway, go ahead and fit them.

[naasaa]

I have fitted them, and reamed to spec. 
I beleive that they content some copper. They are kind of redish in color, and a bit crisp.  
I think they are a generic high spec valve guide, with a reces for a valve stem seal. 
They are equal to the ones fitted in my 1982, but I have fitted seals. 
I must add that I with this engine encountered a sticking valve 4 or 5 times just efter some bust runs with boost. Leaving the engine running on 3 cylinders. Scary, but no harm. 
So I do consider to continue without seals and benefit better lubrication of the valve.  

Edited December 23, 2020 by naasaa