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The MSM ones on the previous page had the number 264 on them and the ones pictured above say 265... just an observation. Another thing I've seen before is where the car manufacturer does not allow the parts makers to sell the genuine factory part through other channels. So sometimes they call it "OEM" which isn't the exact same as a genuine Mazda part for example. Not sure if that's the case here?
The numbers on the seals are most likely mold cavity numbers. As you can see, not all seals have the same number. The different seals are identified by color and ridges in the top of the seal
Last edited by Elmos hers; 05-03-2018 at 04:40 PM.
Reason: Clarification
So, I bought supertech valve seals on 5xracing for my BP4W head rebuilt and I just want to be sure they will not have issues with. The valve guides will be replaced.
I don't understand all of your review about these seals but I just want to be sure that it will be good.
Hey guys, quick question for a friend. I got my seals a few years ago and have 10,000 miles on them without issues. However he’s building an engine and reading some stories about people having problems with the same seals.
Did supertech quality go down, or maybe a production issue? I’m not sure if there’s really a problem or if there’s just a bunch of “me too” guys out there who may have other issues and are just blaming the seals.
Thabks everyone!
mine leaked after a 10 mile test drive. Supertech sucks. The company made a bunch of excuses and danced around blaming me for the problem. I will never use anything from them again.
a data point from me - I put in the felpros a couple of years ago and am now cracking it all open to look for the first time. It's all gone to ****. I believe my problem is that I've got too much play in the valve guides. So that probably accelerated the problem.
On this next head refresh I'm going all in, guides, +1 inconel and.. drum roll.. OEM seals. (GASP!!)
It's $150 for assurance of a great product. Seems like I've spent way more than $150 just reading all of these comments and doing experiments. And now the rebuild...
I thought I'd share some update info. After all that study and careful consideration, 2 years on, they leak. So I'm rebuilding my head and using OEM valve seals from Flyin' Miata.
Total cost: $10 x 16 = $160.
Seems awfully high, so I'm also including this info so if anyone else can find a supplier for cheaper, we may all reap the rewards.
Label on the INTAKE black seals:
NOIC
49442388
BV1883-H1
KL01-10-115
made by CORTECO -
CORTECO USA 11617 State Route 13 Milan, Ohio 44846 USA Phone: +1-419-4992502 Fax: +1 419 4992-804
The EXHAUST black seals that are sold by FM are just the genuine Mazda KL02-10-155 seals.
Wish me luck and good luck to you all. This is such a chronic pain in the ***.
The seals I like now are Mahle. SuperMiata sent a set of them for a customer head. Mahle is a German company but the package said "Made in Japan".
Fel Pro used to source Japanese seals. Rock Auto had them on clearance a while back for $5 a set of sixteen. I bought 5 sets. 3 sets said "Made in China" and 2 sets said "Made in Japan".
It's hit or miss with Fel Pro
I also ordered 1 set of Mahle which are still made in Japan.
The Mahle seals are $24 today and you get a set of 16 exhaust seals which work just fine on the intakes as well.
I'll order Mahle until the package says it's made somewhere else...
I've never had issues with parts made in Japan for Japanese cars.
When I see "Made in Japan" on anything I do "The Happy Dance".
It means no "comebacks" for me which is quite important as I'm doing customer work and comebacks erode customer confidence.
A happy customer will tell 10 people, a pissed off one will tell 100...
I'm guessing one company (NOK) makes ALL of the seals that say "Made in Japan".
I just looked at the Japanese Fel Pro set and they do not have NOK on the top.
Neither does the Mahle, both sets look the same. Both sets are 16 black seals so exhausts...
Corteco is also a German company. They sell shitloads of stuff to BMW. M3 motor mounts from BMW are 200 and 75 from Corteco. The BMW parts says Corteco once you take it out of the box.
You can do the math yourself...
Corteco and Mahle are good parts.
Last edited by technicalninja; 04-03-2022 at 07:09 PM.
Reason: Added Corteco info
05-03-2018, 01:49 PM
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