Old KB C188 cam kit :: cut valve guides??

I purchased an old unused KBC118 cam kit a few years back and am now finally getting to install it. It came with lifters, a set of dual springs, retainers and locks. I was checking the installed height of the valve springs and found out the inner springs hit the valve guide and will not go all the way down against the valves spring seat. Is this normal? I have searched and searched but cannot find anything out about this. I guess the guides will need to be cut, or is that risking cutting into water? Maybe I should just buy another set of springs that fit? Jess in ky

 

KB sold a Valve stem cutting tool to cut the valve guides down to fit their springs.

 

I remember that, and I think they sized the guide OD for for these:

https://www.jegs.com/i/Allstar+Perf...MZkdonEamn2DoskJDVh3XAsUqP0FEoigaAh8JEALw_wcB

Any competent shop can do this for you.

Devon

 

Contact TA performance if you don’t want to cut the guides I’m sure they can set you up with the correct spring

 

I had my stk guide cut to accept .500 seals and cut them down for more clearance. I would bet if you find the cutter and correct arbor to fit inside with some brain power to set it up so you could evenly measure the finial height you can do this at home with a good drill and alot of washing after. Cutter and arbor runs under 150

 

This is what the Kenne Bell spring cutters look like.

Bought these many years ago to install my springs.

One of the cutters machines the seat, and the other cuts the guide.

 

You can buy the cutter and just cut the guides down yourself with a drill. It is super easy. Most engines I work on I cut the guides to fit modern positive valve guide seals with a cutter. I have a couple of sizes of arbours for the different valve stem diameters and one cutter for 0.500" and one for 0.530" sizes. They are about $100 US for the tools. (I am Canadian) I like the better valve stem seals better anyway and then you can fit your double springs no problem. I have done a couple sets of Buick heads this way.
Greg

 

I’ll bet those are the good lifters that came with it, not the junk sold today…

 

"Contact TA performance if you don’t want to cut the guides I’m sure they can set you up with the correct spring"
Looks like TA1435A would be the easiest route. Guess I'll have a set of KB dual springs for sale? jt