My engine rebuild is moving along (albeit slowly as currently only weekends available; and then there's shopping, social life etc.), but I've come across an odd problem that's stumped me (and others).

Although the valve guides seemed ok I thought it wise that they be replaced, as the engine has done around 250K; there also seemed a bit of wear but I couldn't measure it as my dial indicator's shaft is too short to reach. Got new guides in from UK together with various other bits, took them plus new valves, seats and stem seals with head to local engine shop. They called me back later and advised "the guides are the wrong ones". So back I go - turns out the guides in the head measure 14.35mm OD whereas standard are 14.06mm.

Checked with UK supplier, no alternate guides are available; contacted Turner Engineering, they could only suggest that, as head didn't have LR badge, it was likely to be a Chinese or Argentinian replacement, and they didn't know where to source replacement guides. I was subsequently advised that the Argentinian/Brazilian heads use a 14.05 OD guide, so not one of those.

Anyway, as the engine shop pressed out the guides before checking the OD I now have a head without guides, with no replacement guides available. Anyone know where I might find 8 valve guides for a 300 TDI head that are 14.35mm OD? Otherwise I'll have to buy another head....

Thanks.