Bronze valve guides

DPC

Member
Jan 2, 2012
323
1
18
Adams, TN
Are bronze valve guides necessary and are there any cons to using bronze?

I have set of bare stock LB7 heads I am getting ready for my build. I don't plan to port just new valves, retainers, keepers, guides, and better springs along with necessary machine work. This will be for a drag truck, thanks.
 

DPC

Member
Jan 2, 2012
323
1
18
Adams, TN
Well after more research, I see some use them and some don't. Are the bronze guides only for larger valves?
 

Yellow Jacket

WannaBe Sled Puller
Feb 11, 2009
917
0
16
Waterloo, IA
It's a gasser world thing, our valves don't see the rpm necessary for them, some also believe the bronze gals easier to the valves with high exhaust temps...
 

gmc502

Member
Jan 16, 2011
466
12
18
check your guides,I'm betting they're fine.I like cast iron guides better,they hold up longer in everyday driving.
In my personal vw,I took the bronze exhaust guides out(they were wiped out at 100k miles) and put in cast iron.
I see alot of cylinder heads,alot of forgiegn stuff.the ones w/ cast iron rarely need replacing.
Now that doesn't go w/o saying that really high coolant temps don't play a factor in wiping them out,iron or bronze.
doing the boss's lly cylinder heads w/160k on them and the guides are fine.head gaskets not,,burned in 3 spots.
fun times next week.