Hello guys,

Here I am asking for some info regarding valve stem seal specs for my 5.2 V8 magnum 2nd generation Dakota 99.

The truck has been using some oil, about 1 quart every 1,800 miles, no visible smoke, only 60,000 miles now
I switched to 10W40 full synthetic motor oil when I bought the truck 3 years ago, runs good but the oil usage concerned me.

Once I could see oil in the intake, I replaced the PCV valve for a new mopar from ebay, flow at idle with new PCV valve was lower but didn’t change anything, then decided to replace the plenum gasket; all went good but the oil consumption remains the same. Then I saw some oil in the intake again, time for a catch can, did work, no more oil in the intake but still most of the oil is not in the catch can.

Now I am replacing the valve stem seals, once I noticed it smokes when I first start it in the morning and after having it parked for a few hours, I suppose the valve seals are leaking because it only makes a good cloud of smoke when I start it (typical for leaky worn out valve stem seals).
The new champion spark plugs I recently put in look weird too, show some black spots (could it be oil entering the combustion chamber from the intake valves?).

I have an issue with buying parts for a reasonable price once I am in Brazil so I decided to buy a FELPRO valve stem seal set from our local ebay but the seals I got seem to be large and don’t fit tight on the head (maybe fake ones? or wrong size for some reason).

Here are a few pics of the seals I bought







Here below are the old seals from the truck on the left and the new ones (large) on the right




Snowfan did help me a lot sending some info on the seals he got for his 5.9 jeep.
The picture below shows snowfan's felpro seal measurement but that number is about 0.004" or 0.50 mm larger on the new (felpro?) seals I bought:




I got all the measurements below and would really appreciate if someone could tell me what the correct numbers are for the stem hole diameter and the inside diameter at the base/head seal.

OLD taken from truck:
Stem part average diameter: 0.309” or 7.85 mm (worn)
Base part inside average diameter: 0.528” or 13.40 mm
Height:0.513” or 13.02 mm
NEW felpro?:
Stem part average diameter: 0.291” or 7.40 mm
Base part average diameter: 0.543” or 13.80 mm
Height:0.512” or 13.00 mm
SNOWFAN’S felpro:
Stem part average diameter: 0.278” or 7.05 mm
Base part average diameter: 0.524” or 13.30 mm
Height:0.510” or 12.96 mm

The seal I bought fells loose at the stem but at the base it is simply too loose and will not hold at all.

Below a pic of the head








Could anyone tell me where I can get a set of seals that will fit right, last long at reasonable price?
The ones I bought should be felpro but did not fit right, there is only another option brand name Osaka Kansay, the seller said it is made in Japan... US$ 40.00 is that really good?
Thanks in advance!

 

You cant buy parts from the USA or the price is way too high? You sure your heads weren't modified machined to use different seals I see that as a possibility in Brazil if you look at the seat it does look like it could be trimmed down.

 

If you're only using 1 quart every 1800, then you're doing pretty good. Using synthetic will make it worse. It will eat oil. Use conventional or a blend. I had a 98 5.2 and used synthetic once. 2000 miles later it wasn't even showing on the dipstick.


In my first 10 years in the business, I built a couple 100 of these. I never used the aftermarket stem seals because they sucked. If you can order from an OEM parts site, it would be best. They're usually just large dealers selling at a little bit above cost.




http://moparonlineparts.com/

 

I am pretty sure the heads have not been machined, all parts came straight from the US in 1999 when dodge was assembling these trucks in Brazil (unless they shipped a special lot and I don't know about it).

I used to buy alot on ebay but in the last couple years they came with an international policy of pre-overcharging customs import fees and freight so it became cheaper buy imported parts in Brazil.

Right now I found the item one-bay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fel-Pro-Valv...1UKylI&vxp=mtr

Item price: US$ 18.72 ( I paid US$ 42.00 for the set I bought here)
Shipping: US$ 47.00
Total: 65.72 (I may be charged another 50 to 80% customs and P Office fees when it arrives because it is a company shipping to a person so it may cost around US$ 118.00 total)

I called Mercedez dealership yesteday (they handle dodge here in Brazil) and they want US$ 22.00 each seal for the OEM part.

My question would be is there is more than one size seal for these V8 magnum engines?

Is there within this forum a store that could sell and ship direct overseas?

My option is asking the ebay seller if he can confirm the measurements before I order so I am sure they will be the correct size.

 

Well I switched to full synthetic when I bought this truck 3 years ago and I did compare the motor oil viscosity of both conventional 20W50 and syntetic 10W40 at 220F using a Ford Cup #4 and they are equivalent in time when hot (cold the synthetic is much thinner), if compared to 10W30 hot, yes it is thinner. I agree with you that if I was using a 20W50 it may not eat up that much oil but I want to keep this baby as clean as possible and 10W40 is not a thin oil at all, there are no leaks so far and besides the valve seals are worn so I want to replace them, just not lucky finding the correct size in my first shot because I am outside US.

I called my local mercedez dealership the other day (they handle dodge in Brazil) and they do carry the OEM seals but want US$ 22.00 each, I may be cheap but just rather buy from US... Thanks for your input!

 

A complete set of FelPros is US19.99. I can send them to you if you like.

 

Yes Snowfan, if you can do it for me I think it is my best option right now because the measurements on your seal would work for me. I also found a set of felpro seals on e-bay for under $ 20.00

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fel-Pro-Valv...1UKylI&vxp=mtr

I'll message you, thanks.

 

Sounds like an Obama paradise tax tax tax wow that health care gets expensive don't it.

Good luck on the parts

 

Seals shipping tomorrow. 20 for parts, 30 for USPS International shipping and then let us know what extra fees hit you. They are tight and correct on my heads/valves. PM sent.

20160612_113116_zps03yz5fiy.jpg
20160612_113054_zpslndi7f1a.jpg

 

This is Felpro packaging. I included 4 extra seals. Total 20.
20160613_182019_zpsn31r3kie.jpg