Valve Guides

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

While I have the motor out anyway, I want to go ahead and have the valve guides replaced. Does anyone have any suggestions for someone in Central Texas? I am not opposed to sending the Cylinder Heads out via FedEX. Ideas?

[Wayne 962]

Send them to Walt at Competition Engineering, or EMS here in Los Angeles. Talk to Bill or Dick at EMS (Engine Machine Service) (310)641-7019. Tell them I sent you...

Walt is great, but I think he might be a little backed up now-a-days...

-Wayne

[Doug Zielke]

Don't forget EBS (Engine Builders Supply) Sparks, NV.
A quality outfit. Ask for Jon.

[88911coupe]

What time frames are typical for this work to be done? How long does it take, on average for a shop to rework the cyl. heads on a 3.2 for example?
TIA,

[snowman]

YOu gots to ask the shops on this one.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Thanks for the responses!

Buck,

At this time of year, everything takes longer. Have the work done in the later fall or winter. The shops seem to have fewer customers then. But then again, Southern California might be another thing all together.

[88911coupe]

Thanks for the suggestion....maybe by then I'll have the $ to pay for it! Others (JW, et al) have suggested top end problems are not an immediate death sentence so I should have some time.

[ChrisBennet]

The guy who does my heads usually takes 2 days from the time he gets the heads unless he has to wait for valves. Atlantic Enterprises in NJ.
-Chris

[snowman]

It only takes a coupel of hours to 6 or 7 hours to do a set of heads, depending on what has to be done to them. If you want porting it can take many more hours.

But the real question is "when can they get to my heads"?

[jgparker]

Jack,

Out of curiosity, when you get a high-end valve job, do they actually lap the valves in the heads as a final step, or do they just grind the valves and seats separately and then assemble them?

Thanks,

[snowman]

It can be done either way. Probably dosen't make any real difference either.

There are 3 ways.

1. lap the valves
2. use an interferance angle in cutting the valve seat, eg 46 degrees or 44 degrees vs the 45 degree angel on the valve
3. Use the same angels everywhere.

I have been told that laping can cause problems if all the compound isn't removed well so its better not to use it. But on the other hand many do lap and have no problems.

The interference cut used by Neway Cutters is supposed to be better. Some claim that when the valve heats up the angle changes and makes a better match to the head.

My BMW and Mercedes books say to use the same angle. An impressive referance.