I have a complete donor motor with 170k mi. Head gasket seeps a bit of oil externally. I’m contemplating pulling the head off and rebuilding it. Trying to keep this simple and relatively inexpensive. Resurface, clean/lap intake valves, replace exhaust, new guides, reuse cam/valve springs/keepers.

A few questions....

Has anybody ever used ITM branded valve guides?? They’re bronze and quite affordable from RA

What does everybody do for valves? I’d like to replace the exhaust valves. Suggested source and brand? Is there realistically any worth in replacing intake valves? Seemed a bit of a waste of $$. Twas just going to clean’em up and lap them in.

Lastly, what do you guys recommend for areas to port? I was going to gasket match the manifolds and head ports. Anywhere else worth opening up?

Port matching Not the way to go. As a start ck. out this article.

Performance Diesel Head & Engine Preps by Joe Mondello. No need to go this far unless
wanted.
More Modes also can be done,but noted you wanted it simple.
Took me about 20 min. to unshroud my valves ,with a drill and carbide grinding bit.
Very nice improvement,totally different drive.

I don't want to start a flame war, but there are some strange claims on this article. Maybe I didn't understand something, but whats the point of measuring wet flow on the intake ports on a diesel?

You misunderstood,I had to reread that article a good number of times.
No need to go that extensive,understand basics,do your own thing.
The 300sd and others 300d,240d etc, have very high valve shrouding,just a small amount
of material removal can really effect performance.

You should be fine. Do you have a machine shop? If you don't make sure you use a reputable head/machine shop.

__________________
Jim

Any experience using ITM engine components, specifically bronze valve guides?

Do know that many places only sell these in a set of 4. If you want 5 need to buy two sets.
******** Arizona,has good price on Cannon guides,they are good.

Using RA it’s cheap! I’m not gonna sweat 5-10 bucks. What do your recommend in terms of valves??

I used the ITM guides and had no problems with the head on my 617.

__________________
Milan Brown 1979 240D, rebuilt OM617.952 turbo diesel, rebuilt 722.315 transmission (my only daily driver)

Instagram: @maximed93