The ol' beast (82 GLT B23E) has been smoking on start up and under engine vacuum (ie going down big hills) since I got it, so I thought I would treat it to a nice valve job to deal with those pesky guides and stem seals, as the previous owners were less than diligent in their duties. "Unless you are going to do the bottom end as well, we will not take your money." Interesting, I thought. "A new head on an old bottom will create an oil consumption problem twice as bad as the one you want to fix," they told me. The old oil rings won't seal with all that vacuum. Too tired. These guys build vintage race engines, and just about everything else, and have done business with my dad, to his satisfaction, so I trust their word.

The intake manifold and intake ports were CAKED in grunge - perhaps indicative of a problem more serious than stem seals and guides?

Before I put it back together I think I will get new stem seals put on as a gamble (maybe the old ones are baked) - if it works it cost about $75cdn, if it doesn't work it cost about $75cdn. Not a huge amount. Either way, cheaper than a rebuild, which is not really necessary.

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