valve guides.

New guides usually need reaming to some extent when fitted, so that there is just enough clearance to not bind, but not soo much that gases/oil get past them

I pressed new valve guides in my Rover V8 heads and made a guidance tool from an old valve stem. When posted this on the Rover forum, there were shared opinions on using a press. Some people mentioned you should hammer these in as these could get damaged when it would be too tight. I have a pressure gauge on my press so you can see what the pressure is. For me it worked well with the press. I also have a set of adjustable reamers. These were Chinese made. Not the best quality but suitable for occasional use.

A new technique is too ream the old guide and then fit a special thin sleeve. I got that done on my Ducati motorbike heads as these are prone to crack

Good luck

Peter

Firstly are you checking them all with the same valve? You should be if not, then do each individual valve to guide. Also have you deburred both ends of the guide after fitting?

However it sounds like its been a bit big on the OD so they've squashed during fitting. It's best to hammer them in but you need a good fitting punch to do it, doesn't make much difference now though. We hone guides out, leaves a much nicer finish than reaming. You can buy small honing brushes fairly cheaply.

well i had a little go at one today, and then just tried seating the valves with paste. When i pushed the valve hard home it kinda sticks, maybe that is as the centre of the seat is now offset?