Car is an EL XR6. Relevant mods (maybe) include porting and machined for oversized springs, Crane heavy duty double row springs and over sized valves (3 angle cut) - so I am told. and large cam.

Went hunting for a suspected stem seal failure and not sure what I found.

With the head on, have removed the spring and seal from the suspect cyl. The gregories manual does not indicate that the seals should be forced into the head. Should they be tapped into place to make them seat - or was I given the wrong size...there is not much in it?

Without this done, there is a significant noise with the engine running- attributed to the seal moving with the valve stem, and probably lateral movement of the valve.

Other cylinders appear to have another part between the stock seal and the head - maybe a smaller size seal driven in upside down-wtf. The seal taken out is the same size as the new parts.

Any ideas appreciated.

I would like to provide pics but I can't.

They should not move at all , you could try pressing it on again. I doubt its the wrong size but if it is then it may be possible you may have an AU one in there by mistake, they are 7mm and smaller than the E series (hybrid excluded?).

you might find the noise is the valve guide, more likely with the bigger cam.
Valve stem seals dont make any noise - any reason your chasing valve stem seals and not anything else?
Is there much movement in the valve / guide?

Looked at stem seal because low compression (with oil test), smoke on take-off and fouling plug - and now the new noise.

The stem has lots of movement.

I am now thinking the guide has dropped through - will have another look tonight.

thanks for replies.

yeah,
valve stem seals wont cause low compression, nor will worn valve guides (to an extent)
If the stems got movement, then it will need new guides installed, you could also have a bent valve / bad rings etc etc.

I'm pretty sure the hybrids run the same stem seals as the AU's - I have seen in an ACL catalogue that the bigger seals in the E series only go up to early 98.

Thanks for confirming that.

NP - providing the catalogue is correct . . . .

it is