[flatjack9]

Originally Posted by GordonC

Thanks guys. Many of you are saying what I was thinking and feeling.

He claims to have talked with two knowledgeable flathead guys who told him that Speedways guides could be press fitted into the block without the clips. Apparently he feels the fit is tight enough that it shouldn't need the clips, which he would know better about that than I, BUT, if what he says is correct then shouldn't ALL of the guides have been pressed in to the same depth? They are not and I can see with the naked eye variations in the amount showing in the lifter valley under the valve spring.

I am beginning to think the best thing to do is to pull the heads, remove the valves and springs, drive the guides down some, put the clips on and push the guide up to capture it, and then reassemble everything. Then run through setting the valves again. It probably is the only way I can have any confidence in this motor. What a total nightmare this whole building a flathead for my 31 roadster has been! I can almost see why folks just buy crate engines!

Knowledgeable flathead guys? I don't think so.