Got the head back from the engineering shop, and although the guides were worn the valves were still within spec and re-usable. Valve guides were available from several suppliers, even the local Brit bike shop here in Brisbane. Although valves were a different story, this brings me on to my hunch.
As with many parts on Brit bikes they were not made especially for them and often car parts were utilised e.g brake hose,pressure switch, headlamp, starter solenoid on the ES models. So the question was, were the valves made espesially for these heads? .. well i'm 99% sure they weren't instead Triumph utilised what was already out there (makes sense and saves money) the exhaust valve is from and 850 Mini engine and the inlet from 1100 Mini engine or A- series engine as it was used in more than the Mini. Now this took a fair bit of detective work as Mini's go from 1959 to 2001 and have 3 different collet groves, 2 lengths and multiple head dimensions! The valves to suit the TSS head are around $8 each for a quality brand. I also found a supplier who does Stainless steel ones for $24 each (maybe next time).
Back to the guides, the engineering shop gave me the option of fitting "K-line" guide inserts? i'd never heard of these so I was a bit dubious even though the engineering shop came highly recommended i went and did some research. Apparently these insert have been around for over 20 years, and trawling through various forums (Car and Bike) I found many positive accounts of these inserts being used and the only real negative one was were the machine shop had not fitted them correctly (not the inserts fault).
So here was my rational to myself:
The original guides lasted only 6000miles (ish) so even if i fit NOS ones they will probably only last the same and i have the risk of the head being damaged during removal/fitting of the guides. The inserts have proven track record of durability as they probably made from better more modern materials, so i went with the inserts.
Cylinder head wet blasted, valves checked and cleaned, inserts supplied and fitted, seat re-cut and turned around in a week - Cost $218 AUD, i think that is pretty good
Head as it came back to me:
insert fitted and valves all pretty again:
Again! Triumph never went to this much trouble.....
All shinny and back to black ( does dull down when it dries and once the heat get into it i'm sure it will dull down some more).
Next job is sanding back the edges of the fins, but i'm going to give the paint a few days to cure before starting that..
To be continued.......
! your right that works great
I sourced my rings from Eade Classic Allparts in Sydney. Speak to Bob. 02 9798 7822. Bob will need the oil control ring width (3.937mm) and bore (76mm). He must have a box of old original stock. I needed to gap the rings to fit the bore and I snipped off 2 coils (one at a time) of the expansion spring as the pressure was too tight to compress the ring into the bore. I ensured the pressure of the expansion spring was similar to the original.
