Topic: Did Honda valve guides change shape??

[salsawithtim]

I am doing a top end rebuild and am replacing the valve guides. Trouble is on the original head I have 8 guides 4 in, 4 out all with nipples for placing valve stem seals on.
Ordered 2 sets both have come with only 4 the intake with the nipples. The exhaust side 4 doesn't have them is this right? Why and will they need machining to fitmy cb350f.

Confused they look like wrong size.

[millla03]

At least with the 750, the early engines didnt have seals on the exhaust guides. Maybe the guides you bought are the older style? My June 72 production date 750 was like this. That style exhaust guide slopes down to the valve stem instead of having a groove machined for the seal.

The machine shop doing the valve work should be able to measure things for you.

[Dunk]

My K1 had teller exhaust valve guides with no provisions for seals. I believe at some point in K2 production they changed to have seals on the exhaust. I replaced my guides with APE bronze guides, seals on all.

[salsawithtim]

Will they need machining smaller or shorter to fit. Is it better to have stem seals or not?

[MRieck]

Will they need machining smaller or shorter to fit. Is it better to have stem seals or not?

Better to have seals. Kibblewhite iron guides will wear better than bronze in heads with large valve angles. Cyclex sells them (exclusively).