I am ready to replace my valve guides & wondered if it is necessary to put a backing support in the valve spring seat area when driving out the old guides. Any advice would be appreciated.
Hi there,
Ultimately it is dependant upon how you remove them. What I did was to drill out almost all of the middle of the guide before attempting to remove it. I then used a drift to drive it out. Because most of the material/strength has been removed the guide tends to either collapse inwards or fracture as it is removed.
Dave
If you heat it to the required temperature (not sure off the top of my head) and work quickly,they will come out whole.Just have everything in place to hand and try to keep the head covered (to keep the heat in)
John 
So you didn’t have anything to support the area around the valve guides when you drifted them out? I was worried about having problems with distorting or worst cracking the head when I hammered them out.
Keith
Yes,no problems…
John
Keith,
Yep, no problems for me but it was heated up to the recommended temp.
Can’t remember what that is but it’s in the book somewhere.
Actually fitted in the oven, (wife wasn’t home…).
Ralph.
On that subject, have always been tempted to use the dishwasher as a degreasser, has anyone tried this? Given I am now divorced, and in fact ex gets remarried today and its raining, I don’t have to worry about getting in trouble!
Andy
Just a note of caution, hot water and strong detergents can etch and pit aluminum. So be careful.
Bill
Good point, have seen that on aluminum utensils, better limit it to steel parts only then. Always thought it would be good for cleaning up the socket set though
Andy
Have tried using the dishwasher (on my sockets and spanners) and it was a disapointment…
I guess the detergent isn’t up to engine grime!
Tim
You mean your wife/girlfriend won’t scrube them down with solvent for you ?
Andy,
You probably need to use hotter water and more detergent to get the cleaning power. Use the pots-n-pans cycle.
Bill