daverubberduck wrote:Does anyone have a feel for the cost of having valve guides replaced on a twin cam in the UK? I mean the whole job i.e. take the car in and have them remove the head. I presume that most of the work is in actually changing the guides. I'm guessing it's an hour's work for a professional to take the head off, another hour to put back(?). I could take the head off myself and take it somewhere, but I'm not very confident about doing that.
I've done this job many times, and I'd say you have greatly underestimated the times required for various sections of this job.
To start with the bonnet has to be removed, exhaust pipes and manifolds and carbs removed, hoses, rad removed (makes resetting the timing so much easier). It is very important to set at TDC before removing the head.
Then the head has to be stripped down completely, valves and springs labelled (you'll need a 4 x 2 valve, spring, retainer and collet box )
Replacing the guides themselves doesn't take that much time, but then new seats cut and valves lapped in.
Then the head has to be re-assembled, and valve clearances set. Normally shims will have to be ordered, or ground to size.
Replacing the head on the block doesn't take much time either, but then the cam timing has to be set, and checked carefully, and the ignition timing reset
Then you are ready to refit exhaust systems and carbs, and everything required to get the engine running again.
All this could run up a considerable bill. And with your vehicle parked in their premises for the period can incur extra costs, and pressures if there are any unforeseen hold-ups.
It is much preferable, and considerably cheaper if you can manage it at all, to bring a stripped head and valve set.
Then take a little care in re-assembling at your leisure.