so i blew a headgasket after 196,000 miles. im replacing both headgaskets as well as valve train. (i have been searchn posts for days!! and need help!)
1. can anyone tell me what i should do for valve stem seals. should i buy a universal 11/32 set like comp or kline umbrella types? or do i need to replace them with factory seals (2 diff part # from gm, one for exhaust one for intake). are valves diff sizes or just a way to make more money from gm?
2. do i need a diff type when using lt4 valvetrain components and should i just order lt4 seals. when i look at lt4 seals they show same part number as lt1 intake seals but not a seperate for exhaust valve.
SOOO my dilemma is that gm offers 2 seperate seals (one for exhaust, one for intake) on my 96 lt1. when look up the stems for an lt4 it only shows one part number which happens to be the same as the intake valves from the lt1. so can i buy all of the same lt1/lt4 intake stems for my exhaust valves and be okay? or do i have to pay seperate prices on intake/exhaust seals, thanx for any help

 

1. Just get some Felpro valve stem seals from autozone. I think I got the viton kind. Same for intake and exhaust.

2. Are you using stock LT4 valves or what? Should be the same seals either way unless someone corrects me.

Are you getting stock heads or some ported ones?

 

ya i figured theat would be sufficient. gmparts wanted like 6 bux for one and 8 for the other apiece... felpros worth price. must be a gmscsan! i will post results

 

With 196k on the motor you should not rebuild the heads unless you plan on doing the shortblock too. The perfectly sealing new heads will blow out the ring seal on the bottom end and you will begin consuming oil like there's no tomorrow; seen it a hundred times.

Now if you had 150k or less I would feel a little better about it, as these EFI motors with modern ring packs are not as susceptible as the older motors which would do it at 100k, but 200k is just playing with fire...