DIY valve guides?

AcIdBuRn02ZTS

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Hey guys...

Anyone here replace their own valve guides? If so, how much of a pain was it?

I have access to a press and valve grinder along with assorted mills, etc..

Thanks
 

AcIdBuRn02ZTS

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I know in some cases... It's a simple press out/press in job... Others have to be drilled/reamed.. Heated... Froze...

Just don't know the specifics for the idi....
 

AcIdBuRn02ZTS

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NVM... I wont be doing this at my shop. I'll hopefully be able to find a shop around here that can do it for a reasonable price.
 

franklin2

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I am assuming the options are the same as on gas v8's.

1. The old guide is hogged/cutout and a new one is pressed in place, then sized/reamed and then a valve job.

2. The old guide is cut with a special threading tool and a brass insert that looks like a heli-coil is threaded in and then it's reamed to size.

Not sure if they have come up with anything new lately.
 

AcIdBuRn02ZTS

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My only concern is a lack of competent machine shops in my area...

However, I suppose if I have them only check them for cracks and install guides... they probably cant screw that up. I can lap the valves in by hand and clean everything up myself along with reassembly.
 

dunk

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I'd imagine on these engines the guides are just a cast boss in the head that is drilled and reamed. As others mentioned there are a few different options for guides. Can be done at home if you're willing to buy the proper tools but it'll cost you at least as much in tools as paying a shop, you'll have a learning curve, it'll take longer, and you risk messing it up. For a one off job just find a decent machine shop.

Personally I bring my big engines to a machine shop. My Honda SOHC4 engines I do guides and valve jobs myself. Had trouble finding a shop local that had experience doing bike engines since the shop I used to use closed and this is something I do somewhat regularly. Worth the money in tools to remove and install guides, ream, cut seats, etc. These guides are pressed in though so fairly easy. Knock the carbon off, drive old guide out, port head, new guide in, ream to size, cut seat to appropriate width and depth, lap, etc... Not rocket science but you need to be exact about it for an engine to last and perform well, and some heads are easier to DIY than others.
 

freebird01

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Ahhh...a bit far away... We have a very good shop here in Fort Wayne called C&P machine that I would trust with my IDI heads.
 

AcIdBuRn02ZTS

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I found a set of heads that were rebuilt by them I think. Really hoping the deal goes through
 

hesutton

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I had a heck of a time finding an adequate shop to do my 6.9 heads. I ending up taking my heads to Haas Machine in Louisville, KY. It was 4 hour round trip.... but, they did an excellent job on my heads. They replaced the old guides (they are cast as part of the head by the way), and did an excellent job! I know that's a drive from Evansville, but it was worth the drive for me to get my heads done right and not ruin them. They have done IDI work and have all the head spec's to work with.

Heath
 

AcIdBuRn02ZTS

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I had a heck of a time finding an adequate shop to do my 6.9 heads. I ending up taking my heads to Haas Machine in Louisville, KY. It was 4 hour round trip.... but, they did an excellent job on my heads. They replaced the old guides (they are cast as part of the head by the way), and did an excellent job! I know that's a drive from Evansville, but it was worth the drive for me to get my heads done right and not ruin them. They have done IDI work and have all the head spec's to work with.

Heath

Thanks for the info.

I ended up buying a set of heads that were rebuilt by Hart's Machine in Ohio. I couldn't have mine cleaned and pressure tested locally for what I paid for both heads shipped. Guy seems honest enough but I'll know for sure in a couple days when they get here.
 

hesutton

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I'd pull them apart and check them over really well. Of all the machine work I've had done with IDI's over the years.... heads are the biggest issue. Most treat them like a dang SBC and that won't cut it. LOL

Heath
 
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