Machine shop says I need new valve guides i have found only 2 sources, is anyone aware of others? The guides they took out are .521" I see pelican offers a 13.25 or .52165 or if I need to go up larger vac offers a .524. Shop suggest they have some made or make them themselves or the turn down the .524. What sources have others here used and what has the experience been for proper sizing? Is there always a need to go up in size as I see pelican shows first replacement and second replacement sizes. They list the .521 as a second replacement so it seems that the guides in this head may have been replaced at least once before, but I also heard bmw did not supply valve guides in any particular size.
Source for valve guides
ctbimmer
#2
Don’t know about a source, but the machine shop many of us use in Atlanta (Eagle) replaces them routinely without any particular drama or discussion, so they must have a source that works for them. Maybe have your guy call their guy?
FishMan
#3
you can buy them from a multitude of auto part vendors online for $6ish each.
I’ve used this vendor before: http://www.carpartsdiscount.com/auto/parts/89/bmw/325is/valves.html?3594=1996
Metric Mechanic also offers bronze manganese guides for $10ish each. Because of the material composition, the bronze manganese thermal expansion is less than with the OEM materials. This allows you to run a tighter clearance.
VAC has performance offerings as well.