Abstract: A two-piece valve bridge for the valve gear mechanism of an internal combustion engine of the type having a rocker arm pivotally mounted on a rocker shaft, a cylinder head, a guide rod mounted on the cylinder head and, a pair of valves, the stems of which extend up through the cylinder head on opposite sides of the guide rod; the two-piece valve bridge being positioned to be actuated by the rocker arm in engaing the valve stems to effect operation of the valves and including a glide or slider having a hollow shank portion reciprocally mounted on the guide rod and a head having a partial spherical bearing surface on the underside thereof and, a bridge with a central apertured cavity therein which encircles the shank portion of the guide to seat against the bearing surface thereof, each end of the bridge engaing one of the valve stems.