Need recommendations for seal replacements

[merkurhardlyknower]

Hello,

After my last thread I spent some time getting the timing straight, replacing two cracked sparkplugs, replacing fuel regulator, and realizing I had to convert MAP to BAP before I got it running well enough to realize that my smoking problem wasn't getting any better. Turns out 25 years of sitting around doing nothing is hell on an engine, whodathunk?

My symptoms are that on startup it blows out a big puff of blue/white smoke, and after a minute or two of idling it starts blowing that smoke again until I shut it off. As for the turbo, I have some up-down-left-right play and it moves very slightly in and out, but does not seem to touch the housing when spinning it and pushing lightly. I suspect valve seals for the first problem, and either valve seals again or turbo seals for the later problem. I have not done a compression test since before I started working on it, so I do not know if my rings or valves got any better with some running.

For the turbo rebuild kit, I found this thread where another user was interested in rebuilding their IHI, and Stinger linked a rebuild kit from Ebay. I plan to use that kit. Are there any guides on the internet or from a service manual that detail the rebuild process? This thread from TurboFord is helpful, but not very legible frankly.

As for valve seals, I am unsure what to buy. I would like to get a viton part for OEM valves in an engine from a 1986 XR4, but looking at rockauto they've got .500 and .530 for valve guide OD as well as parts for before 7/15/86 and after. How do I tell what I will need? My engine came with an E3 cast exhaust manifold if it helps.

If anyone has another idea on what may be causing my problems, feel free to bring it up. Can't say I know a lot about engines, but I can sure learn.

Thank you!

[Stinger]

Good to hear you're making progress.

I'd not mess with the turbo until after you replace the valve seals. They are the likely culprit for both issues.

You want the "after 86" seals. Here is a surefire way to get the right ones: bo-port.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=32

[merkurhardlyknower]

Good call. Doesn't make a lot of sense to go through that trouble if it's as silly as a valve seal.

I'll put some on order and drop them in, and I'll be back if that didn't fix it. Thanks Stinger!

[Stinger]

Be sure to use the little plastic valve stem covers when installing the seals, and lube them before installation.

[merkurhardlyknower]

Update for future swappers, I replaced all 8 of the valve stem seals and aside from a little burn-off from spilled oil, I now have 0 smoke out of the exhaust. Three seals were crunchy, probably burnt from a exhaust valve leak/seat crack (battles for another day), but replacing them fixed my problem. Thanks for the advice, Stinger!

[Stinger]

Good to hear! Finding seals that are basically hard plastic is not unusual after this many years of use.