A valve lifter guide (100, 900, 1100) includes at least one conduit (101, 901, 1101). The conduit (101, 901, 1101) has a first inwardly-curved surface (103) opposed to a second inwardly-curved surface (105) such that the conduit is capable of holding a valve lifter (200) between the first inwardly-curved surface (103) and the second inwardly-curved surface (105). The valve lifter guide (100, 900, 1100) may optionally include inwardly-curved alignment surfaces 1103.