The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Whilst I am building up the new Spitfire 4 head for my Dolly 1300, I have seen some threads on different sites that reccomend fitting Pinto valve stem oil seals. The original heads had no oil seals fitted which was probably to allow a bit of oil to pass and lubricate the valve stems. Is fitting seals a good idea or not, and would it mean a change to bronze guides. Would you fit to all 8 or just the inlets?
Ralph

I wouldn't worry if the guides are not worn. I tried seals on one car, but haven't bothered ever again.

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Clive Senior
Brighton

Clive is right, there's not enough oil in the rockerbox, nor under enough pressure to be any sort of problem to the motor without guide seals.

It's only modern OHC designs where the cam runs at or near crankshaft pressure and quantity that guide seals (or the lack of, or they are tired and dried out) becomes an issue and you end up going downhill on a trailing thottle and get overtaken by your own blue haze!

Steve

EDIT, and PLEASE don't fit that horrid rocker feed bypass that overlubricates the top end at the cost of crankshaft oiling, it's the spawn of satan!

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'73 2 door Toledo with Vauxhall Carlton 2.0 8v engine (The Carledo)
'78 Sprint Auto with Vauxhall Omega 2.2 16v engine (The Dolomega)
'72 Triumph 1500FWD in Slate Grey, Now with RWD and Carledo powertrain!

Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.

EDIT, and PLEASE don't fit that horrid rocker feed bypass that overlubricates the top end at the cost of crankshaft oiling, it's the spawn of satan!
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Noted, although I had no plans to fit the rocker feed bypass. These were discussed on the TR Register webpages too, as a kit is available for the TR2/3/4 4 pot engines but all who fitted one suffered increased oil usage and ended up taking them off again. Needless to say there is not one on my TR3.
Ralph

Noted, although I had no plans to fit the rocker feed bypass. These were discussed on the TR Register webpages too, as a kit is available for the TR2/3/4 4 pot engines but all who fitted one suffered increased oil usage and ended up taking them off again. Needless to say there is not one on my TR3.
Ralph
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My apologies, didn't mean to teach granny how to suck eggs! However it's a question often asked (ie should I fit one) by the less experienced Triumph engine builder. Something you obviously are not!

Steve

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'73 2 door Toledo with Vauxhall Carlton 2.0 8v engine (The Carledo)
'78 Sprint Auto with Vauxhall Omega 2.2 16v engine (The Dolomega)
'72 Triumph 1500FWD in Slate Grey, Now with RWD and Carledo powertrain!

Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.

My apologies, didn't mean to teach granny how to suck eggs! However it's a question often asked (ie should I fit one) by the less experienced Triumph engine builder. Something you obviously are not!

Steve
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No need to apologise Steve, yes over the years I have re built a lot of engines but when doing something new it never harms to ask others. As far as my TR3 goes I did build the engine, but it came without a head. I eventually located one in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, which had been reconditioned with new valves etc, so I never dismantled it, but looking at the parts book just now it seems that those too do not have stem oil seals either. Obviously a Triumph thing.
Ralph