Got to get the valve guides replaced on my heads and the shop uses bronze valve guides. Since I know nothing in this area, are these normally used and will they be durable enough? If not, what other choices might I have?
Thanks

 

True bronze guides are not for the street. They will not last long.

However, many guides these days are made out of a special Bronze alloy (mixed with other stuff) and they are acceptable for the street.

If you are in any doubt about what you are installing and why just install regular steel guides.

 

IMHO bronze guides are far superior to anything else. The metal itself is a natural lubricant. Most aluminum heads use bronze guides, since aluminum itself is obviously unsuitable.

What they are probably putting in is actually bronze bushings, where they drill out the guide slightly and press in the bushing. True bronze guides are about ¾" in diameter and long enough to go through the head, which is about 3½-4". I have a set of heads that has those in it, and one that has bushings. The set with the bronze guides once lasted about 120,000 miles with only the tiniest detectable whiff of blue smoke at startup, with no guide seals installed on them at all.

I'd say to get them to go for it. If they are using the bushing type, it's real cheap, and is a major upgrade to the heads' long-term durability.

 

Thanks for the opinions. This guy came highly recommended thats doing the work. He told me this morning what he was going to have to do after he dismantled them so I was hoping this was one of the best ways to go. I did ask about steel guides, and he believed he gets longer life out of the bronze. This places builds almost nothing but race engines. I will get them back tomorrow, so maybe I'll have the truck running again by Sunday He also measured my valve spring seat pressure and most were at 40 lbs or less so a new set of springs are in order too.