OEM 2003 Chevrolet Corvette Valve Stem Oil Seal

2003 Chevrolet Corvette Valve Stem Oil Seal Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: What tools are required to service and repair the valve guide seal, replace the valve stem oil seal, and valve spring on 2003 Chevrolet Corvette?

  A: Services for the Valve Stem Oil Seal and new oil seal for valve stem and valve spring demand three essential tools: Spark Plug port adapter (J22794), valve spring compressor (Head-on) (J38606), and Valve Stem Oil Seal installer (J42078). Take out the rocker arms and also separate the Spark Plug wire from the Spark Plug. Gently turn the wire 1/2 turn and carefully unwind the boot from its base. At normal room temperature remove the spark plugs while turning them each 1 or 2 times. Clean the Spark Plug area using a brush or compressed air before extraction. Put the j22794 Spark Plug port adapter on the Spark Plug opening and connect an air hose to it. Hit the valve stem back end with a plastic face hammer to let varnish loose from the valve stem keys. The valve spring compressor (Head-on) (J38606) allows you to press down the valve spring before you can take out the valve stem keys. Once the tension is lowered, safely remove the compressor. After that take out the valve spring cap and valve spring directly. When following the initial design remove both seals and shims from the valve stem. Clean the valve spring seat surface below the shim and install the valve spring shim for the first design model and the Valve Stem Oil Seal and shim for the second design. For the second design, no Valve Stem Oil Seal installer (J42078) is needed. Position the Valve Stem Oil Seal correctly on the valve guide to stop oil leaks and valve damage. Put engine oil on the valve guide and oil seal before installing the oil seal over the valve stem. Push the seal down to the valve guide using the installer and Valve Stem Oil Seal installer. Use an appropriate measuring device to determine the installed Valve Stem Oil Seal height ranging from 18.1 to 19.1 millimeters (0.712 to 0.752 inch), with the top edge of the seal body spaced 18.1 to 19.1 millimeters apart from the valve spring shim surface. Set the valve spring in position using the compressor and place it with the valve spring cap and valve stem keys on the Cylinder Head. Apply grease to keep the keys stable. Let spring pressure out slowly and verify the keys rest in position before tapping the valve stem if needed. Detach the air hose connection from the Spark Plug port adapter (J22794) and take it out from the Spark Plug hole. If the valve spring height reaches 1.82 inch after installation measure 0.02 inch thick valve spring shims to address the issue. After installing the Spark Plug by hand you should tighten it with a 15 nm torque wrench then reconnect the Spark Plug cable and put back the valve rocker arms.