What I've gotten so far from reading archived posts is that bronze guides tend to wear quicker, but the valve job lasts longer because you can run a tighter clearance than with oem iron guides. This is what has come across over and over in old posts.

That seems a little paradoxical since once the bronze guide wears past the clearance you can run with oem guides, seat wear will increase past that of oem. Also, if the guide has to be replaced but the seat is ok, it doesn't matter because you're still going to need a new vj right. So...

What's the wear rate of bronze v. oem guides?

 

How much tighter?

Just curious.

 

According to Fkned, who I believe is also a head porter:
He gave that clearance for ferrea valve. Would the clearance be any looser/tighter with stock valve in a bronze guide?

Also, helms says intake can be as tight as .0010, so is it really that much tighter with bronze?

To add context, the app is stock street engine.

 

I don't see why a good quality bronze guide properly installed wouldn't last as long as the OE iron guide.

As for clearances, that's top secret.

 

Who makes a good quality bronze guide? I have one of the best installers around so that's no a concern.

 

Does your installer have a preference?

 

I'll ask Don next year when the head goes to him.

 

Okay, I know the answer.

 

Frankly I'm just getting bored with not being able to with the engine till the end of this year. Need to give my mind things to think about.