Hi Guys,

A head gasket blew, so I pulled the heads apart to replace the stem seals. When I did, I noticed that on the intake side, what appears to be a copper sleeve is protruding from the value guides. I believe the head to have been rebuild at some time. I dont know for sure, because I just bought the truck. What's with these sleeves? What's the fix?

Thanks for your help!

Do the exhaust valve guides have snap rings to limit downward install or later creep?

The copper things sound like bronze valve guide inserts. You drill out the guide, and ream them out to the insert size, then insert and knurl the insert to the guide, then ream the insert to the correct stem diameter. There is also one with bronze wire. Bronze is sort of self lubricating, a superior guide liner.

I'd drive out the old guides and have new exhaust at least installed to get the snap rings. THese engines are known for dropping the exhaust guide. Buy the best sten seals you can find. I have no real rec on these, and would like to hear one...

Thanks Eddy -

Yes...on closer inspection, these appear to be bronze sleeves. The funny thing is that all the exhaust guides and sleeves look fine, but 4 of the sleeves have worked themselves out on the intake side.

But a guess the bottom line is the same...replace the valve guides, right?

Thanks again for your help!

yup, replace the guides with the clipped ones.

it's a 'feature,' not a flaw... I guess.

t