Valve seals for camel hump heads?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
29,399
Reaction score
25,028
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Oh yeah, I’m aware of the different configurations. It’s entirely unlikely that someone would spend all the dough to convert it from a 350 to a 327 from a generic mid 70s 350 truck block. My money is on this guy was sold a “327/350hp” and someone put a set of camel hump heads on a 350 to give it that appearance. No matter, I wouldn’t be able to measure the stroke accurately without pulling the heads anyway.

What year is the block? '68-'69 large journal 327's shared the block with a 350. They weren't 350 horse camel hump 327's at that point though.
 

ChuckN

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2022
Posts
1,032
Reaction score
2,922
Location
Bellinham, WA
First Name
Chad
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
What year is the block? '68-'69 large journal 327's shared the block with a 350. They weren't 350 horse camel hump 327's at that point though.
Good question- block says mid 70s. But it is a four bolt main, saw it myself when I changed the pan gasket. I’m not sure if they ever made a 4-bolt 327.
 

ChuckN

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2022
Posts
1,032
Reaction score
2,922
Location
Bellinham, WA
First Name
Chad
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
@bucket in re-reading your post, that makes sense and I’d bet there were some 4-bolt 327s. And since they used that same block (likely) for the DZ302, it’s likely that they were 4-bolt too for that performance application.
 

Craig Nedrow

NADAR UNDER THE RADAR
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2018
Posts
879
Reaction score
1,612
Location
Washington State
First Name
Craig
Truck Year
1973 (have two), 1985
Truck Model
K10, K20, C20
Engine Size
350, 454, 6.2 Detroit
ChuckN, the enforcer heads use the same components as the higher priced heads, top notch. I used David Vizards book porting small block chevy heads on a set of 194's, that was 30 years ago. Still got the engine, still runs awesome, and I am the type of guy that can't keep my foot out of it, the engine sees 6500 every time i drive it. It was a dirty but fun exercise, and learned a bunch, just a thought. I am using the BBC Enforcer heads on my new build go here:https://www.skipwhiteperformance.com/
CAUTION THE FOLLOWING SITE IS HIGHY ADDICTING, AND EXPENSIVE.
 

ChuckN

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2022
Posts
1,032
Reaction score
2,922
Location
Bellinham, WA
First Name
Chad
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
ChuckN, the enforcer heads use the same components as the higher priced heads, top notch. I used David Vizards book porting small block chevy heads on a set of 194's, that was 30 years ago. Still got the engine, still runs awesome, and I am the type of guy that can't keep my foot out of it, the engine sees 6500 every time i drive it. It was a dirty but fun exercise, and learned a bunch, just a thought. I am using the BBC Enforcer heads on my new build go here:https://www.skipwhiteperformance.com/
CAUTION THE FOLLOWING SITE IS HIGHY ADDICTING, AND EXPENSIVE.
Thanks Craig! Taking the Family to Disneyland this weekend and working until then- I’ll get back after this topic soon. I’m definitely going to check out that website!
 

ChuckN

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2022
Posts
1,032
Reaction score
2,922
Location
Bellinham, WA
First Name
Chad
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
@Ricko1966 so this is what I found. Some kind of positive lock. The boss where the Pioneer valve seal would sit is too small in diameter to hold it from moving up and down with the valve. Any idea for what to get next? And would I still use the o-rings on the valve? Thanks in advance.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach
 

ChuckN

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2022
Posts
1,032
Reaction score
2,922
Location
Bellinham, WA
First Name
Chad
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
Also, the boss measures .530- guess I need to find something that fits that.
 

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
4,384
Reaction score
6,501
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
The umbrella seals are suppose to ride up and down with the valve,yes use the rings too. That's the reason you need enough clearance with the umbrellas,so they don't get snagged in the valve spring.
 

ChuckN

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2022
Posts
1,032
Reaction score
2,922
Location
Bellinham, WA
First Name
Chad
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
The umbrella seals are suppose to ride up and down with the valve,yes use the rings too. That's the reason you need enough clearance with the umbrellas,so they don't get snagged in the valve spring.
Cool, thanks!
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
29,399
Reaction score
25,028
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
I'm no engine builder, but aren't those type seals always supposed to fit snug on the guide boss and stay in place?
 

ChuckN

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2022
Posts
1,032
Reaction score
2,922
Location
Bellinham, WA
First Name
Chad
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
I'm no engine builder, but aren't those type seals always supposed to fit snug on the guide boss and stay in place?
Apparently the positive lock style that snap onto the guide boss are supposed to stay snug, but the umbrella style is just that- an umbrella that floats up and down with the valve.

Got to thinking about it and it’s likely that the problem is on the intake side due to vacuum- it seems less common that the exhaust side has the issue because it is mainly subjected to positive pressure (exhaust). But that’s just what I’m gathering.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
29,399
Reaction score
25,028
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
But those aren't the umbrella style?
 

ChuckN

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2022
Posts
1,032
Reaction score
2,922
Location
Bellinham, WA
First Name
Chad
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
But those aren't the umbrella style?
The one that I’m holding in my hand in the picture? That’s a positive lock, teflon that was on there. Umbrella's style is soft rubber and bigger around so they can float without getting hung up on the guide boss. I’ll take a picture later side by side.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
29,399
Reaction score
25,028
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
The one that I’m holding in my hand in the picture? That’s a positive lock, teflon that was on there. Umbrella's style is soft rubber and bigger around so they can float without getting hung up on the guide boss. I’ll take a picture later side by side.

Ah, oh... I'm with the program now. I thought the one in your hand was a new one. My memory is starting to go and a forgot what Ricko1966 had posted earlier.
 

ChuckN

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2022
Posts
1,032
Reaction score
2,922
Location
Bellinham, WA
First Name
Chad
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
Ah, oh... I'm with the program now. I thought the one in your hand was a new one. My memory is starting to go and a forgot what Ricko1966 had posted earlier.
Honestly, to keep from asking today a million questions about valve seals, I did some research and I won’t say that the possibilities are endless, but there’s a lot out there for different styles and combinations. On Rickos advice I’m going with the umbrellas- but what came off of mine was apparently the worst as far as longevity- Teflon (that is inflexible) combined with no o-ring to keep oil from leaking directly down the valve stem. It’s no wonder it’s getting oil in the chamber.
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
42,614
Posts
919,149
Members
34,144
Latest member
Juanosious
Top