Topic: Need advice on valve stem seals for CB350F. PLEASE READ IF EXPERIENCED!!

[craywm]

Hey all,

Just got my Athena gasket kit for my 1974 CB350F. it has 8 valvestem seals inside it, but as i was taking apart the valves, i noticed that there was no valve stem seals on the exhaustside of the head.

I looked up a parts diagram and saw that everything looks the same as what i have (A kinda domed shaped valve guide) with a valve seal?? soo... i tried to slip avalve seal on and it fit but its in very close proximity to the smaller inner valve spring. would this be a problem if i left the valve seal on? i just dont want any smoke but really dont want to change out the valve guides. what do you guys think i should do? leave them on or pop em off?!

[fmctm1sw]

The older ones didn't have stem seals on the exhaust side.  I'd leave them off if they don't fit positively fit like the intake.

[craywm]

Okay i just thought it was weird that it was a 74 and still didnt have them. Do you know how to get ones guides that will fit a valve seal? Also why would it show it on my parts diagram as having a valve seal. The guide looks the same as it does on my bike.. The intake side is the fitted side and the exhaust is not. The falve seal is the same part number.. This is so weird! Why hasnt honda corrected this?!

[speedy gonzalais]

as long as the inner spring don't rub on the seal it will be ok, I know some engines don't have exhaust guide seals as the tiny bit of oil that seeps thru is burnt in the exhaust, this is one of them sittuations where you wonder weather to use them or not knowing what a job ur have if it does smoke, I'd also check the exhaust for excessive oil deposits before making any final decision.

[craywm]

Just went through a head gasket failurechecking.exhaust wont tell me. Im putting a new head gasket and oil tube seals on, do you think i should also use indian gead gasket sealer around where the oil could seep into the cylinder on both sides of the head gasket or is tgis a bad idea?

[speedy gonzalais]

if both mating surfaces are good I don't see the point of gasket sealent, I've never used it on a head gasket, car or bike.