are valve stem seals meant to be really hard to press onto the valve guides? I'm worried about damaging them.
also is there any secret to putting them on?

I did the seals on my head a couple of weeks ago - and previously did a set over 10 years ago as well.

In short yes they do seem very difficult to get on - and the little feckers will tilt over and sort of try to bind no matter what you do - but they do straighten up as they continue to be driven on.

I place my socket on and then "tap-tap-tap-tap..." - and intially it's always "oh crap, oh crap! - it feels wierd and I can tell it's tilted over!" - but then you feel it pull straight and it's all good.

The ideal tool would be something that has a pilot shaft that goes into the guide with an upper part that shoulders the seal housing and a space for the seal part itself - that would probably make the whole thing less stressful - maybe that's what the proper tool looks like? I just use a socket that shoulders on the housing without hurting the seal itself and then it's just pluck and perseverance. First time I did it I swore I would put a pin punch the right size for a good fit inside the guide down thru the socket until the body shouldered on the socket and do it that way - but when it came to it I just freehanded with a socket again. You might want to try the punch + socket idea? (would need to use a 3/8 drive socket I think).

My ED manual had a caution about not bottoming the seal housing on the top of the guide - my impression is that the proper tool controls how far the seal is driven down onto the guide and stops it just shy of contact - but I've seen an aftermarket manual that simply says drive the seal on until it bottoms.

I personally just go until it's JUST on all the way - I did a set of these seals like that on a brand new EF XR6 head over 10 years ago and it was still running fine last year - and that's the way I did the seals I just did on my EF Gli head.

thanks heaps. all sorted
now all i have to do is put the cylinder head back on

Sweet. I step over the front with my left leg and stand on the driver side part of the K frame with my left foot which leaves me pretty much hunched over the engine and I can just lay it nicely into place.

well i have stuffed up two of them cant work out how to put them on i feel there way to tight and when i was give them by the shop there all the same colour not like the red ones on the exhaust side

is there meant to be a special/correct tool to remove/fit these little fockers?

as far as i know i just took mine off with some pliers and i cant get the new one on with out f**k it up i have tryed the 3/8 drive socket and tap tap and it ripped the rubber right of the seal so im not sure now

1) is your head still on the block/car?
2) if yes what method are you using to keep the valve's from falling down into the piston chamber?

yes my head is still on the block im using a air hose in the spark plug hole to keep valve up

what's the name of that part you are using?

i want to go & buy one but i don't know the exact name for it.

as for name of tool is a ABW Pressure hose part number from burson is 70715 $32.10

thanks for that. will have to go & order one from burson's.