VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Valve Guide Clearance

Recently I installed new valves and valve guides in my 1930 194 cu. in. motor. I bought the parts from The Filling Station. It turned out the fit was too close so exhaust valves got stuck after driving for a couple of minutes. So I plan to disassemble the cylinder head and carefully broach the exhaust valve bores. I have not been able to find data of the correct clearance. Can anyone tell?

Look in your 1930 Repair Manual... I do a 1930 on me, have my 1929 and it tells you to ream the valve stem guides after you install them. Plus gives you clearance for both the Intake and Exhaust Valves. Intake is a LOT tighter than the exhaust !! Look under "Valve Stem Guides"

From the Chevrolet Repair Manual:

"The proper clearance for the exhaust valve stem in the guide is 0.002" to 0.004" and the proper clearance for the intake valve stem in the guide is 0.0005" to 0.0025"."

Reprints of the Chevrolet Repair Manual are available from the Filling Station. It definitely helps when undertaking mechanical work like this.

All the Best, Chip

Thanks Chip, that is exactly what it says in the 1929 Repair Manual as well.

These books are MUST HAVES if you want to properly maintain/ service your Antique Chevrolet

If you already haven't done so, you might want to purchase a Repair Manual from the Filling Station, along with the 1929-32 Chevrolet Parts Book, the complete set of 1929 and 1930 Chevrolet Service News, and any other 1930 literature that is available from the Filling Station as well.

That is correct. Valve guides are installed and then reamed to fit the valve stem.
This is because the guide collapses a little when pressed into the head.

Thanks to all of you for your help. Then I just have to find an adjustable valve guide reamer to get the job done.