Author Topic: Valve Guides Advice  (Read 3408 times)

Ron500E

  • Guest
Valve Guides Advice
« on: May 01, 2016, 06:35:07 »
Any thoughts on using Canyon guides. It seems the Genuine MB items are NLA in the std. size.
Or... is there a better alternative?
There seems to be a big price difference between the genuine MB items at around $30 and the Canyon at around $8. I don't mind spending the extra money for better quality, but is the quality really better?
Thanks for any guidance.

Progress is sloooow but somewhat steady (somewhat....)

Thanks

Ron

Pinder

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, NJ, Edison
  • Posts: 1032
Re: Valve Guides Advice
« Reply #1 on: May 01, 2016, 13:32:05 »
I got my valve guides off AutohouseAZ. I m happy with them.  I have no association with this company but find that there prices are very reasonable.
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.
1997 Corvette C5 Silver. automatic
2015 BMW 320i xdrive
2021 Mercedes GLS450 Silver

Tyler S

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Encinitas
  • Posts: 1613
Re: Valve Guides Advice
« Reply #2 on: May 01, 2016, 14:51:45 »
When I had my head reworked a few months back, A machine shop that specializes in MB used Canyon. No problems. But has only been a couple hundred miles. They also knurled the outside circumference of the guides tops. This helps the valve seals to stay put and not pop off down the road.
1968 (67) 250sl. 4 speed manual. DB180 Silver
1955 220 Cabriolet A. White Grey
2019 E450 Wagon. Majestic Blue
1936 Ford PU Flathead V8. Creme on tan interior.
1989 Volkswagen T3 Westfailia Campmobile. Dove Grey (blue)

Benz Dr.

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Canada, ON, Port Lambton
  • Posts: 7220
  • Benz Dr.
Re: Valve Guides Advice
« Reply #3 on: May 01, 2016, 18:22:41 »
230SL valve guides are different than the 250 and 280. As I recall, the 230's are smooth while 250's and 280's have a small groove that helps to hold the valve stem seal on to the valve guide. The 230SL seal will come off unless it's installed dry.   
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

Shvegel

  • Inactive
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Cleveland Heights
  • Posts: 2978
Re: Valve Guides Advice
« Reply #4 on: May 02, 2016, 01:28:07 »
It's been awhile but I seem to recall that there was a change in valve guides where there was a step added to the guide to keep it from sinking into the head.  I am sure someone more knowledgeable will chime in here but I thought I would mention it. If that is the case you might want to make sure the Canyon guides have it.

ja17

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Blacklick
  • Posts: 7414
Re: Valve Guides Advice
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2016, 02:59:55 »
Realize that the new valve guide materials (silicon bronze) materials is superior to original materials like the copper and brass guides used previously. I have used Canyon Valve guides, which are silicone bronze, also with good results. Sizing (OD)is the difficult decision to make. Too small a diameter and they may come loose. Too tight and the guide may be damaged during installing . Intermediate repair sizes are offered by some manufactures, which is slightly oversize to make a good fit. They are not a full oversize.

My advice, use a good experienced machine shop. Supply them with all the Technical specifications and installation process. So they can make an experienced judgment call on sizes to use after measuring and inspecting the head. I even loan the machine shop my special factory valve guide installation tools to use for the work.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

Ron500E

  • Guest
Re: Valve Guides Advice
« Reply #6 on: May 02, 2016, 07:30:55 »
Thanks Everyone.

Joe, what is the number of your guide installation tool.

I never need an excuse to add one more 589 to the collection....
Thanks,

Ron