Valve Seal Replacement?

[mikeringland]

My '72 has the original 350 with around 100,000 miles on it. It runs well and doesn't leak oil, but when I start it up, it puffs blue smoke especially after it's been sitting for a few days. I'm assuming I need to replace the valve seals. I have the car backed into my garage for the winter and was thinking of tackling this project over the winter.

 

My questions are:

 

1.) How truly difficult is this project? I have a decent set of tools and could probably rent or borrow any other necessary tools,

 

2.) How do I know exactly which valve seals to buy? Looking around online, it looks like there's about 6000 varieties for a small block chevy. If I go into Autozone and just tell them I have a bone stock '72 350, will they know which stock valve seals to give me? 

 

3.) Are replacing the valve seals going to solve this problem, or could it be something more?

 

My hopes are to one day put a big block in this car, but for now the 350 is going to have to do, so I really don't want to dump too much cash into this motor.

 

Mike 

[Leghome]

I replaced a couple of valve seals on my 72 with a 350 two years ago without pulling the heads. A good friend made me a fixture that screws into the spark plug hole and an air line attaches tot he other end. he took a spark plug  and cut it off just below the ceramic and welded a air hose connector onto it to make the adapter. This holds the valve in place so I could remove the valve spring and keeper and replace the seal. Worked great but I had my heart in my throat when I first did this afraid the valve would drop into the cylinder but all went well and I had the seals replaced in one day.

[mikeringland]

Yeah I think they make a specific tool that screws into the spark plug hole and uses compressed air to do the same thing.

[cny first gen 71]

Yes they do make a hose for that, Its not that bad of a job. You'll need a valve spring compressor not the big c clamp type they make a couple didderent types. use the cup type seals they work better although I have heard of people using both the o ring under the cup but dont know. Get the right tools and take your time and you'll be fine. Now the valve guides could also be warn and this may just be a temporary fix, hopefully not. Good luck with it.