I have a 1979 Delta 88 stock cheapy rebuild low compression smog era 350 engine with very worn valve guides per the irradic readings on my vacuum guage and smokey morning start ups and rough idle.., compression is good for all cylinders though.. 150ish

I plan to get the heads rebuilt.

What valves, valve guides and valve seals brand or brands for each item do you recommend?? not looking for cheap, looking for something that is good quality and durable.. Iron or Bronze???

Also, what machining would need to be done to install them?

Thanks,
Fred

 

Fred,
The guides will have to be put in by your machine shop. There are only a couple of brands normally used. The valve stem seals should come in your head gasket set. Ask your machine shop what valves they prefer. They should be able to get them for you at a decent price.

 

Make sure they are crack checked before the shop does anything. Those 3A heads are known for it. I see BillK, our resident machinist will explained the process.

 

FelPro valve guide seals are the way to go. Make sure you ask your machinist if you need new valve guides and valves. The valve guides might be able to be knurled and the valves shouldn't need to be replaced, just re-faced.

 

In addition to which brand of valve seals, there are different types. I'd prefer a positive lock type, perhaps some of our resident engine builders will chime in on this.

 

If you have proper valve guide to valve stem clearance and are not using a aftermarket high lift camshaft, the stock type umbrella seals such as the Felpro mentioned above are quite adequate. As regards knurling, most shops have discontinued that practice 50 years ago as it doesn't hold up well. If you look at a factory second generation Oldsmobile valve guide, you shall see a slight knurl in the upper part of the valve guide; this is for oil retention. Depending upon how bad the valve guide wear is, valve stem wear would be possible as well. Installing replacement guides be they iron or bronze shall require the same machining, cost of the valve guide being different. The machining to install replacement guides basically consists of drilling the old guide out, pressing in a replacement guide, and then either honing or reaming the new guide to the specified clearance. After the new guide is properly installed, the affected valve seat must be refaced.

 

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