Posted by Michael Eastep on August 12, 2001 at 22:46:54:
In Reply to: Vavle Guides posted by Tom B. on August 12, 2001 at 19:21:36:
I suspect that this is one of the issues on which opinion will swing back and forth over time. Based on my experience with my old metal-guided Holton, my plastic-guided CB-50 (which is now for sale) and my new PT-6P, I would willingly give up the quietness and smooth feel of the plastic guides in favor of more reliable and longer-lasting metal guides. I find that the plastic used on the latter two horns is really not acceptable in durability. On the PT-6P there is the additional problem that the guides can easily be knocked out of line. They can be adjusted without difficulty, but it is an annoying problem to have when oiling a valve quickly during a seven-bar rest. As Joe S. points out, there is considerable room for improvement in the materials used to make valve guides. At this point, give me metal!