Abstract: A solenoid valve assembly incorporates a guide which slidably engages and guides the armature of the assembly's solenoid at a location above the pole piece of the assembly. The guide preferably takes the form of a guide bushing that slidably engages a reduced-diameter end section of the armature. The guide bushing is fixedly disposed in the same tube that surrounds the armature of the solenoid and around which is disposed the solenoid's coil. The solenoid valve assembly exhibits dramatically improved durability when compared to prior art valve assemblies in which the armature was supported in the pole piece. Cycle-to-cycle and valve-to-valve injection uniformity also are enhanced. The solenoid valve assembly is particularly well suited for use in a gaseous fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine because the lack of lubricants in the gas causes rapid wear in valve assemblies having armatures guided in the pole piece.