Viton over Aftermarket

Are these blueish Viton valve guide seals so superior that I should break my head down and pop OFF the brand new, black aftermarket seals from Z1 Ent ...and spend +$4.00 each for the Viton ones?
www.z1enterprises.com/images/parts/DSC04911.jpg

IMHO they are. I have run my 750 for 36 years and the weak link has always been the valve seals. They harden and start leaking and the valve seats gunk up and it starts fouling plugs. I wish Viton had existed the last time I rebuilt mine. That said, I am running standard butyl rubber seals right now since Viton wasn't offered yet so they are usable. In my case, I typically get about 10 years out of a set.

That's a tough call. Viton seals are superior to others. They with stand more heat and are more chemical resistant than the OEM seals. If I had the engine apart already the answer is yes, use Viton seals. Would I tears back into a engine to replace Viton seals? Probably not. The OEM seals won't last as long as the Vitons especially if your area runs ethenol injected fuel year round.

My .02 submitted.

If they're new, they should last for a while. If it's not running yet, I would.
Steve

Probably. I bought the premium Suzuki metal clad seals that Z1 used to sell. IIRC they claimed to be viton, at least I believed they were at the time because that's what I wrote in my maint. log. Anyway, they started leaking after 3 or 4 years, finally resulting in lots of $$$ wasted on motor oil and a burnt exhaust valve.

I wouldn't trust the cheapo nitrile ones in their kits much either, considering the premium offering crumbled after such a short time.

I bought some more seals that claim to be viton on eBay for ~$28... But who knows what you're really getting. Could be blue latex for all we know. That's why I chose to trust Z1 back in the day.... Honestly it's a gamble either way, but I can tell you that even if the viton seals were $200, it would probably be worth it considering how expensive it is to replace all the other gaskets you have to break to get in there and change them if they deteriorate.

I put in viton seals over 6 months ago and they're still good. I doubt they are a rip off. Everyone and his dog are selling them. I would NOT trust a kit no matter where it came from. Who knows how old they are. If less than a year old, maybe. NOS rubber is junk. I bought these from a well known supplier. Came apart the first year, I sent a e-mail after 9 months, no return e-mail.
Steve








$45 a piece, Kawasaki.

get the Viton see my signature .

DFIGPZ wrote: get the Viton see my signature .

OK. Sounds like the right move now. I guess I can wait another week before pulling too off.