valve guide question

[DimitriT]

I have the head off the 550 again to fix a leaking valve seal.

I noticed that some of the valve guides protrude down into the chamber a bit more than others. I don't know if they are interfering with the valve (probably not) but I am a bit distressed by the prospect that they might slip down and mess up the valve.

They seem to be tight when I tried pushing on them. No motion. But who knows what's going on once its warmed up and the valve is moving.

The motor is low miles and the guides didn't feel like they had any play with the valves in them so I'm thinking I don't need new guides.

Should I try and drive them back out a little with a wooden dowel. I don't have the 7mm valve guide driver tool.

[SqDancerLynn1]

? What does the guide look like on the valve spring side ?

[DimitriT]

There's enough room to fit the seal. No question on that.

It's depressed about half-way down compared to the others.

I'll get a picture out tonight.

[Big Jay]

They should have a circlip on them that prevents them from dropping into the port.

Jay

[Nessism]

The intake and exhaust valve guides are different heights so make sure you are comparing intakes to intakes and exhausts to exhausts.

If any of the guides have dropped down you might want to take the head to a machine shop and have them check it out - circlip could be missing as Big Jay mentioned although that seems very strange. Not really a home project unless you have done that type of work before.

Good luck.