The Ford Barn

pistonbroke · 01-28-2022, 12:28 PM

Hi all, Still rounding up the valve train parts for my 255 mercury motor. I'm looking at valve guides and see some are heat treated and prices vary quite a bit. Any thoughts on who's or what is the best for street use?
Thanks as always, Tim

Ronnie · 01-28-2022, 12:54 PM

SBI or Qualcast will work fine. What does your local machine shop sell?

R

Pete · 01-28-2022, 06:37 PM

Get anything that is on the high side of the tolerance on the OD. Put them in with high temp loctite and then put bronze sleeves in them. They will last longer than you then.

KiWinUS · 01-28-2022, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

Get anything that is on the high side of the tolerance on the OD. Put them in with high temp loctite and then put bronze sleeves in them. They will last longer than you then.

Totally agree with Pete.
Cheers
KiWinUS

Ronnie · 01-28-2022, 07:16 PM

You can also use green retaining compound an lock them in. Install bronze guides before you install them. That requires some bronze tooling but works good.

R

Don T · 01-28-2022, 07:50 PM

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Be sure to check your "new" guides and "new" valves for clearance if going that route. My "new" guides and "new" valves measured almost triple Fords allowable clearance between them. So we knurled the old guides and installed bronze sleeves in them, reamed them to fit new valves. When done this way the valves close rather than rattling in place.

Pete · 01-28-2022, 07:56 PM

Knurling the OD of guides is a poor choice. It will cut the heat transfer by as much as 30% due to the reduced contact area.

Ol' Ron · 01-28-2022, 11:16 PM

I knurl the valve guide for hne valve stem. This tightens the clearance ti the stem but keeps then well lubricated. I also don't use the guide seal I coat the guide with RTv and install it, By the time you run the engine it will set up. Usingn Never seal on the exhaust will make the next person to dis assemble the engine very happy.
Gramps

GB SISSON · 01-29-2022, 01:21 AM

Ron, I love how you are always thinking of the next guy. That is admirable in theses days of troubled times.

Lawson Cox · 01-29-2022, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

Ron, I love how you are always thinking of the next guy. That is admirable in theses days of troubled times.

I'll second that.

01-28-2022, 12:28 PM	#1
pistonbroke Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Perry Mo. Posts: 485	New valve guides Hi all, Still rounding up the valve train parts for my 255 mercury motor. I'm looking at valve guides and see some are heat treated and prices vary quite a bit. Any thoughts on who's or what is the best for street use? Thanks as always, Tim

01-28-2022, 12:54 PM	#2
Ronnie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Canada Where it snows Posts: 2,058	Re: New valve guides SBI or Qualcast will work fine. What does your local machine shop sell? R

01-28-2022, 06:37 PM	#3
Pete Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wa. Posts: 5,409	Re: New valve guides Get anything that is on the high side of the tolerance on the OD. Put them in with high temp loctite and then put bronze sleeves in them. They will last longer than you then.

01-28-2022, 07:16 PM	#5
Ronnie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Canada Where it snows Posts: 2,058	Re: New valve guides You can also use green retaining compound an lock them in. Install bronze guides before you install them. That requires some bronze tooling but works good. R

01-28-2022, 07:50 PM	#6
Don T Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Alberta Canada Posts: 93	Re: New valve guides Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Be sure to check your "new" guides and "new" valves for clearance if going that route. My "new" guides and "new" valves measured almost triple Fords allowable clearance between them. So we knurled the old guides and installed bronze sleeves in them, reamed them to fit new valves. When done this way the valves close rather than rattling in place.

01-28-2022, 07:56 PM	#7
Pete Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wa. Posts: 5,409	Re: New valve guides Knurling the OD of guides is a poor choice. It will cut the heat transfer by as much as 30% due to the reduced contact area.

01-28-2022, 11:16 PM	#8
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: New valve guides I knurl the valve guide for hne valve stem. This tightens the clearance ti the stem but keeps then well lubricated. I also don't use the guide seal I coat the guide with RTv and install it, By the time you run the engine it will set up. Usingn Never seal on the exhaust will make the next person to dis assemble the engine very happy. Gramps

01-29-2022, 01:21 AM	#9
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,936	Re: New valve guides Ron, I love how you are always thinking of the next guy. That is admirable in theses days of troubled times. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)