Triumph Repair: 1972 triumph spitfire valve seals, valve seals, valve keepers

Question
Hi Howard, I own a 1972 triumph spitfire and i am planning to clean or replace the valves. My supplier informed me that this car does not have any valve seals, however when i removed the valve springs i found small round plastic/rubber rings/seals in the valve stems. Supplier informed me that they have an MG valve seal set i could buy. Any Ideas,  Thanks   Wayne....

Answer
Hi Wayne,

Triumph did not come with valve seals. MG had "O" rings on the valve stem to try to prevent the oil that puddles on the valve collar from running down the split in the valve keepers and supplying too much oil to the guide and stem. Excessively worn guides may have made the former owner try the "O" rings to slow down the oil.

Howard