Old valves in new valve guides...how easy should they go in?

[Finnigan]

for my cb360 project:

old valves that have been cleaned and scrubbed, new valve guides that were just put in the head with a valve guide driver (no denting or damage to the guides) but the valves are very tough to get in. should i sand them a little so they are a 'slip fit' or should they be pushed in there pretty hard...lets just say they wont go in by hand, i can only get them started

anyone ever done a job like this before?

Thanks in advance

 

[Sonreir]

They should be pressed in and be very difficult. A press is usually needed (hence the term "pressed in").

 

[Finnigan]

I just saw online that you should use a reamer tool so that they slide in with minimal effort

 

[hillsy]

They should be pressed in and be very difficult. A press is usually needed (hence the term "pressed in").

I think he means the valve stem into the guide, not the valve guide into the head.


They should move freely without any resistance - and I think you've discovered that the guide needs to be reamed to allow this.

 

[Sonreir]

I think he means the valve stem into the guide, not the valve guide into the head.


They should move freely without any resistance - and I think you've discovered that the guide needs to be reamed to allow this.

Yup. I misread. This quoted text is correct.

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

DO NOT sand the valve stems to make them fit.

Valve guides will always be too tight after installation. They actually kinda squeeze in on their ID when pressed into the head. It is almost always mandatory for them to be reamed to fit the appropriate clearance to the valve stems BY A MACHINE SHOP. The don't require much clearance, but if they don't move freely, you will have a blown engine before you get out of the driveway. The service manual will tell you what your clearance should be.

 

[Finnigan]

good advice guys thanks