I have just knocked the valve guides out of our cylinder head. Now I have to install the new ones. My plan is to heat the head and freeze the guides.

My question is : How hot can I safely heat the aluminum head? Also, any tips on installing the new guides would be appreciated.

Unfortunately my Hanes manual simply says to take it to a shop and offers little help on DIY.
thanks,
dave

Perhaps pre-make a tool or have someting which is the right shape to push the guides in, then put the guides in the freezer overnight, and put the head in the oven and heat it to 'cake temprature' about 190-200 degrees, untill thoroughly heated through. Then push in the guides - youll have to be really quick as the guides will absorb the heat in a blink - might be worth a shot and save on garage charges.

Well, I got my guides. I can push them 90% of the way with my finger! This is not good. What would happen if I coated them with jb Weld and pressed them in? I guess I already know the answer. I need to find oversized guides. When will it end???
Dave

I would think that a reputable auto machine shop could make up some oversize guides or try a replacement used head? Many ways to skin this particular cat...

1966giallo500 said:

.When will it end???
Dave

Click to expand...

It never does, thats the lure of the 500's!!...Most jobs are within scope of DIY owners...:slayer:

Crxsprocket said:

It never does, thats the lure of the 500's!!...Most jobs are within scope of DIY owners...:slayer:

Click to expand...

So true. When we bought the car it was advertised as having a rebuilt engine. The problem is there is no definition for what constitutes an engine rebuild. So I am having fun overhauling it to my personal definition. I am sure when the next guy finds that I used JB Weld on the valve guides (which I just did) he/she will have a few colorful words. But my goal is to not pay for a minute of professional labor. This way I have only myself to blame.
time to go lap some valves. . .
Ciao,
dave

I would suggest that many would regard the fixing of something bust within an engine as a 'rebuild'....Which clearly is a repair only!!..To my mind a rebuild is a strip down and check all parts are within factory tolerence (renovate as necessary) with replacement of all seals n gaskets....

Buyers beware and always ask for proof...:slayer:

Keep going Dave, soon be worth the effort!!...

All done. Purrs like a kitten. I can't wait to wear it in so I can really test it.
Dave

Looking good Dave

What oil are you breaking it in with?

LOW500 said:

Looking good Dave

What oil are you breaking it in with?

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Good question. I asked the local auto parts store if they had a break-in oil to help seat the rings and they said no. So I am just using the standard castrol 20w-50. What would you use??
Dave

With everything being new, I would go with a zinc loaded oil such as Rotella T 15-40w which i use, or Chevron Delo 15-40w which I'm contempating on changing to next oil change because of higher zinc levels. Castrol 20-50w is also very well spoken of and rated. I know that there are some Cam break in lubes available that would probably work, but to stay on the safe side, the 20-50 should work fine, I just dont know if the the recommended break in time for regular engines applies to our engines as well.

Thanks,
they do have a high zinc 20w-50. I may switch to that next. As far as the break in period, I think it will depend on my patience. I normally use the throttle as sort of an on-off switch and this feathering of the throttle is getting old.
dave