Valve guide damage
Valve guide damage
(OP)
I have a head with a damaged valve guide, there is a gouge near the top part of the guide (on the interior surface where the valve rides), the guides are not replaceable. The valve seems to move smoothly in the guide, it doesn't look like it would scratch the valve stem. Is the head still usable? In a perfect world i would like to replace it but how much of a chance does this engine have of living without burning oil if i use it? I would like to have it go for at least 50k miles.





RE: Valve guide damage
RE: Valve guide damage
On race prepared heads it is not at all uncommon to grind away ALL the exposed guide in the intake port. Not good for longevity, but great for performance.
Bottom line---Take the damaged head to a reputable machine shop and let them have a look. It is entirely possible that the damage is only superficial.
Rod
RE: Valve guide damage
Regards
pat