OM617 Head Rebuilding

[gottarollwithit]

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?