Bad Valve Guides and bent valves

[adamford150]

On another forum I am on a guy has had some problems with MMR, they apperently had problems with bad valves guides and bent valves he sent it back got a new set got them installed and they had the same problem. but they wouldnt fix it the second time. I am wondering if this is an installer problem or if this is really an mmr problem. Would it be worth buying these ported heads and getting the valve guides and valves fixed or is it even fixable? 500 doesnt sound like a bad price but if its going to cost 3 grand to fix them its defenitly not worth it. What do you guys think.

[MarcSpaz]

The only way a valve will bend is if it has piston contact. If the valve guides are bad, meaning they are the wrong I.D. or the surface has the wrong finish, and the valve does not come back up fast enough, it will hit the piston.

MMR has been know to have some bad stuff go out, so they get hammered the second there is a problem. However, a lot of shops use MMR, including a friend of mine who is local to me. If they were putting bad heads out, we would be hearing about it from more than just one person.

I would be more prone to believe that the person doing the install either has not locked out or limited the VCT, lash adjusters may be bad (esp. if it's the same valve twice), or the shop/car owner is over-reving the engine.

If it is a high mile car or if it has seen a lot of racing, I would also be looking at wrist pins and rod bearings too. Although, those usually make noise when they are bad or worn, and the owner would have complained about noise/knocking from the engine.

[adamford150]

Thats what i figured but would it be worth buying those heads from him that are stage 2 ported for $500 and getting the guides and valves fixed or would i be better off to buy a new set.

[MarcSpaz]

No, I would not buy them. Figure if you get the heads for $500, then $500-$600 for new valves, then the cost of having them installed and seated will be at least $200-$300. $1400 for unknown heads, no thanks.

I would rather get the Livernois or Blow By Racing Stage 2 heads for the extra $300-$400 and have a warranty. Shoot, the BBR have Manley SS valves, which is a nice upgrade over the stock valves too.

[MarcSpaz]

I just want to add that my recommendation is because I think it is not a good buy. It has nothing to do with MMR.

[adamford150]

Thanks. Thats what i needed to know