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Neilw:
--- Quote from: Oddjob on August 04, 2026, 01:54:40 PM ---Dirty and will need dismantling to clean it all out but journals look ok. Your decision but I’d check your existing head first for guide damage. Someone on here is bound to have some spare valves, I had hundreds of them at one time.
--- End quote ---
Ok, so each of the valve guides is cracked at the top, which means replacement - and that is not a diy job from what i can see. So it's either a replacement head with guides and valves that are hopefully ok, or find someone to rebuild the head. :-(
Oddjob:
Yeah that’s toast. Skilled job to replace the guides, you need to recut the seats after as well. Much cheaper to find another head.
Neilw:
--- Quote from: Oddjob on August 04, 2026, 03:04:07 PM ---Yeah that’s toast. Skilled job to replace the guides, you need to recut the seats after as well. Much cheaper to find another head.
--- End quote ---
Yep, pretty much what I thought - I'm looking for a head atm, and also emailed a company that does rebuilds to see what they would charge. Will decide in the next day or two.
Oddjob:
A rough guide to parts prices. A guide is approx £33 each and a valve around £17. Times 8 and it gets expensive real quick.
Otis:
Just thinking out loud!
Neil has done what I would have done and had a go so fairplay to him for doing this. Mistakes will be made and I have made a few in my time but that's how we learn if that is our inclination.
It's easy to "do up" a vintage bike with your cheque book but that's not why forums like this exist. I wish I could offer more in the way of knowledge but I am "a Neil" and willing to have a go and learn. It obviously helps if one has a competent local friend but for many of us the guidance offered by this forum is all we can hope for and I appreciate very much the kind and thoughtful people who are happy to pass on their knowledge in such an altruistic way.
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