bb exhaust valve guide coolant leak

[Chris H.]

I suspect one of my guides is leaking coolant as evidenced by shiny (dry) residue in the exhaust port that appears to originate from the guide area and moisture around the exhaust manifold gasket after the car has been run. Can this be repaired by a new guide? Do I need special tools etc?

Thanks, Chris

[motorman]

Re: bb exhaust valve guide coolant leak

i posted a answer over on corvetteforum.com this morning, check it out.

[Bill Clupper]

Re: bb exhaust valve guide coolant leak

Generally, on a bigblock if the problem is leaking coolant, the guide is not at fault. Oil leakage yes, but not coolant. I have seen these heads crack in the guide area of the exhaust, and that will cause coolant leakage, but that is a different repair than a guide replacement.

[Chris H.]

Re: bb exhaust valve guide coolant leak

Bill, does the repair consist of welding?

[Bill Clupper]

Re: bb exhaust valve guide coolant leak

there are people who have welded them, but the usual method is scrappage, unless the heads are so rare as to be irreplacable.

[Bill Lucia]

Re: bb exhaust valve guide coolant leak

Since NCRS judging only looks at the exterior head configuration, and not the internal cast date, I'd get a new set of heads (BOTH SIDES). Bill C. is right unless you just can't find a replacement. I'd suspect that if you are dealing with a cast iron head there are a number of them available for various big blocks. Paragon usually has quite a few in stock and if you really want it they will probably have a date casting very close to your original.

regards

Bill #8620