I’m wondering if others have found it beneficial to cut back the valve guides in the intake & exhaust ports of an L-Head (side valve) engine? The iron valve guides are 2.5” long with an OD of .626 & an ID of .343 and most of the guide in the port is tapered to .5 or less. More taper on the intake vs exhaust which has a chimney on the end inside the port of around 1/2” down from the top. I was told the chimney was designed when carbon build up was a bigger issue & these are reproductions so they also have the chimney in the exhaust valve guide. The valves don’t ride at any angle, just straight up & are not recessed in the block. I’ve already done the porting work to clean things up, leaving the intake ports rougher for atomization. Now it’s time to deal with the guides. One last question; if cutting the guides shorter is ok, should it be done after they are driven in place or before? Exhaust port below.... I believe this one’s an intake valve & one can see how much was exposed: Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
If you haven't already might look up dale's (Bored&Stroked) post. He has some pretty fantastic threads on building a hot flathead. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...to-nuts-pictures-details-and-opinions.420484/
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