I've had an exhaust valve tapping real bad, it was not the lifter as I had already changed them and it persisted. Today I changed the valve spring hoping maybe it was weak.
When I removed the old spring, I quickly discovered the valve is real loose, lots of play side to side especially when the valve is open.
My guess is the valve guides, these heads hardly have 2k miles on them though.
My question, how can the valve guides be changed or fixed if they are too big or worn?
Can it be done with the head still on the motor?
Any links on how to do this?
Any info would be greatly apprieciated as I have never disassembled the heads before, removing the valve spring was a first today.
Thanks

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Rob
High Performance & Party page
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[This message has been edited by 2QUIK6 (edited December 01, 2001).]

 

valve guide is shot. Your not burning oil???

The head has to be removed to get it fixed.

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If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen

1987 Trans Am 305
14.88 @ 92.81

 

I have been using about a qt. of oil every 700-1000 miles, but the entire motor is brand new, so I didn't think it was unusal yet. But that spark plug in that cylinder was caked up pretty good with carbon and was wet when I removed it today.
Guess I'll have to tear it down again

 

Thats where your oil was going. Gotta pull that head and send it to the machine shop. Who worked on the heads last, since you said its a fairly new engine?

------------------
If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen

1987 Trans Am 305
14.88 @ 92.81

 

and whatever you do, DO NOT let them knurl the guide to "shrink" the metal back into position. A replacement guide is the only way to go.

BTW - Did you get a warranty with the engine?

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Later,
Vader
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If you want to beat the World, it might reach up and pull you down...
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I was only a new ZZ4 short block. The heads were more than 15 years old, but still in the box never used in my garage for 10+ years, they are World Casting Sportsman 200s. I had them polished over the summer, and gasket matched, and the valves cut for new positive seals in preparation for the new engine build up in the Fall, which I completed back in Sept.
So, no warranty, the shop that did the head work must have either not noticed the slop in that exhaust valve, or they screwed it up.
Thanks for the info.
Now I'm trying to decide if I want to remove the SA rockers and go with non-SAs and guideplates while I have it apart again since the loose valve chewed up an alignment disk and rocker.

 

I don't think "knurling" would even be an option w/ that much wear.

------------------
If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen

1987 Trans Am 305
14.88 @ 92.81