IF IT DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT, IT PROBABLY ISN'T
No "first-wife" joke here: it's too obvious.

The valve stem seals that came with my head gasket set didn't seem right...because they aren't. Having removed the exhaust valve I posted about, I compared the replacement seal with the worn one. I even set it place, expecting to hear a "click" as it snapped over the groove designed to hold it in place. The new seal doesn't have the ring that snaps into that groove. Several "first-wife" jokes could be used here. Like, "If I used these seals, they'd just be flopping around in there, doing no good."

One problem with locating replacement seals is the illustrations that most websites offer: they do not show a cut-away view.

So tomorrow, when I go to pick up my lifters, I'll ask my NAPA guy if he has these in stock, and if not, to help me locate the right part. I'll take the two used seals with me to be sure (one intake, one exhaust).

This frikken' 'journey' is frought with all KINDS of traps and pit-falls! It makes me even more appreciative of this automotive community.
The Chilton book mentions very little about the balance shafts, not sure how the Hayne's book measures up, but I find the book lacks in some simple areas like this. If we know, we can DO. If the feature is just shrugged off or casually mentioned, it doesn't help the beginner much)
This applies to the seals, too: the book simply says to put them on. No cautions, no what-to-look-for's, no first wife jokes. "Common sense" picks up where book-smarts leave off, and so the name of this post is "If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't." So stop and take the time to figure out how to make/do it right. Force doesn't always make something work. And just "hoping it works" is a fatal flaw. [First wife joke #197]
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The book tells you that if the valve doesn't spin freely on its seat, it's probably bent or warped. In most cases, this would be true. However, the exhaust valve I removed had become stuck in position due to long-term build up of carbon from leaking oil. The wire wheel on my Dremel tool cleaned that area to the point that the vlave once again fit happily, and rotates as it should.

I am reminded the book is ONLY a guide-line: it's up to us to THINK, and to proceed with focused attention.

And it's up to us to share these insights, or the experience is no good for anyone. [First wife joke #583]