GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

    • J 8062 Valve Spring Compressor
    • J 42073 Valve Stem Seal Installer

    Object Number: 200320  Size: SH

    Important: The exhaust valve stem oil seal has the letters EX (1) molded into the top of the seal. The exhaust valve stem oil seal material is brown in color (2) with a white stripe (3) painted onto the outside diameter of the seal, or the material may be off-white in color (2) without a paint stripe. The intake valve stem oil seal is black in color.

  1. Assemble the valve into the proper valve guide.
  2. Select the proper valve stem oil seal for the specific valve guide.
  3. Lubricate the valve stem oil seal and valve guide with clean engine oil.
  4. The exhaust and intake valve stem oil seals are not interchangeable.

  5. Assemble the valve stem oil seal onto the valve guide using the J 42073 .
  6. Install the valve stem oil seal onto the valve guide until the installation tool bottoms against the valve spring seat.


    Object Number: 36373  Size: SH
  7. Inspect the valve stem oil seal. The valve stem oil seal should not be bottomed against the valve guide.
  8. There should be a 1-2 mm (0.03937-0.07874 in) gap between the bottom edge of the valve stem oil seal and the valve guide.


    Object Number: 334505  Size: SH
  9. Install the valve spring (3).
  10. Install the spring cap (2) onto the spring (3) and over the valve stem.

  11. Object Number: 188473  Size: SH

    Caution: Wear safety glasses in order to avoid eye damage.

  12. Use the J 8062 in order to compress the valve spring.
  13. Install the valve stem keys.
  14. 9.1. Use grease in order to hold the valve stem keys in place while disconnecting the J 8062 .
    9.2. Look to ensure that the valve stem keys seat properly in the upper groove of the valve stem.
    9.3. Tap the end of the valve stem with a plastic-faced hammer in order to seat the valve stem keys, if necessary.