Bad Twisted Wedge valve guides?

Hozer 88GTConv · 01-01-2003, 10:18 AM

Anybody had any problems with valve guides on TW heads with .498" lift or higher cams?
Thanks...

ultraflo · 01-01-2003, 01:32 PM

I've never run TW heads, but remember hearing awhile back that the early TW's had valve guide problems from the factory... I believe they later remedied the problem by using phosphor bronze guides, as opposed to the cheaper guides originally used to keep production costs and the retail price tag down.

I'm sure some of the knowledgable TW user's can offer more information...

XR1stang · 01-02-2003, 11:43 AM

almost all of the valve guide problems with the TFS heads can be traced back to people not using the correct length pushrods.

I've got a few thousand miles on mine with no problems. I know some folks with some pretty heavy mods that have 10-15k miles problem free from valve guide issues but they measured the push rods first.

XR1stang

Hozer 88GTConv · 01-02-2003, 12:38 PM

I have the correct tfs rods, 6.750 ". Unfortunately, I have to remove both heads anyway to find out what the heck is going on.
With the compression test inconclusive and no other obvious signs or clues, I gotta pull 'em both. I'm thinking I might just drop my blower and make my motor a high-comp domed piston stroker while I am at it.
I want the same hp/torque that I have now. I'm thinking a 331 with 11 : 1 pistons should do it.

Ron1 · 01-03-2003, 04:12 AM

I ran one of the first sets that came out, on my then Coupe. And yes they did have a problem. I am talking 4-5 years ago. The car began to smoke quite a bit especially at idle. I had to R&I the heads myself, they were shipped back and repaired at no cost. If you purchased these within the last couple of years they should be fine. Have you done a leak down test?

Ron

Hozer 88GTConv · 01-03-2003, 09:06 AM

Ron,
No I haven't. After doing a dry comp check and not seeing anything suspicious, I pulled the valve cover to have a look. Again, no obvious issues. I have never seen a valve seat not seated properly and you can't see very well anyway between the springs.
The thing is I have no death smoke. I mean none at all. I can't believe it either because the plug looks so bad.
I am really caught in a jam here because I don't want my boost to make things worse if something is awry.
Naturally, I have no time to screw with this now either.

jonnyk · 01-03-2003, 12:24 PM

I still can't believe this keeps popping up. The TFS valve guide problems were with the pedestal mount heads, which were LONG since rectified. However, with that being said, they are still one of the more sensitive heads to valvetrain geometry, and incorrect length pushrods will ruin a set of guides regardless of how "good" they are in a big hurry. You need approximately 1/2" longer pushrods than stock...which is usually either 6.700" or 6.750", depending on the engine. If you think you have a guide problem, won't a leakdown test help narrow it down for you?

Ron1 · 01-03-2003, 12:42 PM

Didn't somebody just ask that question and hasn't that been answered?

Ron

01-01-2003, 10:18 AM	#1
Hozer 88GTConv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 706	Bad Twisted Wedge valve guides? Anybody had any problems with valve guides on TW heads with .498" lift or higher cams? Thanks... __________________ 1988 GT Convertible 331 10:1 TW heads, GT-40 intake, MSD, TRW flattops, B Cam w/ 1.7's, MAC exhaust, 24's, 70 TB, 76 MAF, 3.73's, Pro 5.0, Koni's, Anderson PMS, Wideband 02, yatta, yatta... One week with new motor, two speeding tickets...joy

01-01-2003, 01:32 PM	#2
ultraflo NX dealer-man Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Peoria, Illinois Posts: 977	I've never run TW heads, but remember hearing awhile back that the early TW's had valve guide problems from the factory... I believe they later remedied the problem by using phosphor bronze guides, as opposed to the cheaper guides originally used to keep production costs and the retail price tag down. I'm sure some of the knowledgable TW user's can offer more information... __________________ RLS Racing! 93 LX 9.20 @ 147mph 03 Mach 1 12.39 @ 116mph

01-02-2003, 11:43 AM	#3
XR1stang Registered Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 205	almost all of the valve guide problems with the TFS heads can be traced back to people not using the correct length pushrods. I've got a few thousand miles on mine with no problems. I know some folks with some pretty heavy mods that have 10-15k miles problem free from valve guide issues but they measured the push rods first. XR1stang __________________ I used to hate computers, until the server went down on me...

01-02-2003, 12:38 PM	#4
Hozer 88GTConv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 706	TFS Pushrods... I have the correct tfs rods, 6.750 ". Unfortunately, I have to remove both heads anyway to find out what the heck is going on. With the compression test inconclusive and no other obvious signs or clues, I gotta pull 'em both. I'm thinking I might just drop my blower and make my motor a high-comp domed piston stroker while I am at it. I want the same hp/torque that I have now. I'm thinking a 331 with 11 : 1 pistons should do it. __________________ 1988 GT Convertible 331 10:1 TW heads, GT-40 intake, MSD, TRW flattops, B Cam w/ 1.7's, MAC exhaust, 24's, 70 TB, 76 MAF, 3.73's, Pro 5.0, Koni's, Anderson PMS, Wideband 02, yatta, yatta... One week with new motor, two speeding tickets...joy

01-03-2003, 04:12 AM	#5
Ron1 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Vancouver, WA USA Posts: 439	I ran one of the first sets that came out, on my then Coupe. And yes they did have a problem. I am talking 4-5 years ago. The car began to smoke quite a bit especially at idle. I had to R&I the heads myself, they were shipped back and repaired at no cost. If you purchased these within the last couple of years they should be fine. Have you done a leak down test? Ron __________________ 65 Mustang Fastback 347 Stroker, C4 with 4.56 10.68 @ 122 N/A 9.74 @ 137 w/ N2O www.fastspecialties.com

01-03-2003, 09:06 AM	#6
Hozer 88GTConv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 706	leak down... Ron, No I haven't. After doing a dry comp check and not seeing anything suspicious, I pulled the valve cover to have a look. Again, no obvious issues. I have never seen a valve seat not seated properly and you can't see very well anyway between the springs. The thing is I have no death smoke. I mean none at all. I can't believe it either because the plug looks so bad. I am really caught in a jam here because I don't want my boost to make things worse if something is awry. Naturally, I have no time to screw with this now either. __________________ 1988 GT Convertible 331 10:1 TW heads, GT-40 intake, MSD, TRW flattops, B Cam w/ 1.7's, MAC exhaust, 24's, 70 TB, 76 MAF, 3.73's, Pro 5.0, Koni's, Anderson PMS, Wideband 02, yatta, yatta... One week with new motor, two speeding tickets...joy

01-03-2003, 12:24 PM	#7
jonnyk Being stroked is great Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 772	I still can't believe this keeps popping up. The TFS valve guide problems were with the pedestal mount heads, which were LONG since rectified. However, with that being said, they are still one of the more sensitive heads to valvetrain geometry, and incorrect length pushrods will ruin a set of guides regardless of how "good" they are in a big hurry. You need approximately 1/2" longer pushrods than stock...which is usually either 6.700" or 6.750", depending on the engine. If you think you have a guide problem, won't a leakdown test help narrow it down for you? __________________ Novi 2000 now spinning off the snout of the 331... Mods Pics

01-03-2003, 12:42 PM	#8
Ron1 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Vancouver, WA USA Posts: 439	Didn't somebody just ask that question and hasn't that been answered? Ron __________________ 65 Mustang Fastback 347 Stroker, C4 with 4.56 10.68 @ 122 N/A 9.74 @ 137 w/ N2O www.fastspecialties.com

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