The V8 Owners Forum -

Hello all, I've finally found myself an engine (RV8 EFi) and has been (mostly, damn that pulley bolt!!) stripped down. Just about to send my heads away for porting and polishing and had a question on valve guides, here goes....


I am going to use a fruity high lift cam, and so the valve train needs to be modified accordingly (rhoades lifters/valve springs less one coil/erm, something else i forgot) And I know that the tops of the valves guides need to be machined off or replaced. I have seen those bulleted shortened valve guides for sale with the step so you dont push them too far in. Is it difficult to a) get the old ones out succesfully without turning my head into a big ol mess and b) has anyone any advice/tips/tricks on installing them?

I have access to a 10 ton press and a reasonable amount of tools, just wondered if it was worthwhile for myself to do it or palm it out to a machine shop?!

Thanks

Hi
For replacment of guides you'll need a stepped "Drift" that you can insert down the valve guide hole that has a sholder on it that will push the guide out, using your press. appart from that it is a very good idea to heat up the heads in the oven first, about 150 to 200C (makes it exciting anyway) and do them in pairs heating up in between. push them out with the press, don't hit them out.
Mike

I used a mates model lathe and made a drift. Or maybe try and find a bolt with long shank that fits well. We dont have a press so on iron heads before we have just wellied them in, but I wouldnt like to do that with ally heads so a press is definately beneficial.

I think kitchen engineering had been mentioned before on the old forum.
Dont let the wife see you using the oven for that!!!! They want about 30 minutes or until golden brown.

if your sending your heads away to get ported then leave it to whoever does that. They will install guides to match what they have done and at the correct installed hight. They have to be removed for porting anyway so they might as well do it.

If your heads are going away for work then as Marki says get then to do it at the same time,esp if going for bigger valves or three angle valve seat jobbie, so the seat get cut with the new guides installed,keeps everything running nice and straight.
John.