How do I choose a valve spring retainer?
How do I choose a valve spring retainer?
An important factor when selecting valve springs, is choosing the correct seat pressure, open pressure, and spring rate for the camshaft being used.
What holds the retainer on the valve spring?
Valve locks and retainers hold the retainer in place by using the force of the valve spring to hold the retainer and lock in place, not by the tang locking into the groove on the valve stem.
How do you measure a valve spring retainer?
To do this, measure the distance from the bottom of the valvespring retainer to the top of the valve seal. Then add 0.090 inch to the measurement. The number should still be larger than the maximum valve lift of your camshaft. If not, you’ll need to machine your valveguide to get the needed clearance.
What do heavier valve springs do?
Simple physics tells us that heavier objects require more force to accelerate, just like a heavier car requires more horsepower to accelerate. Adding larger valves means the valvespring must control additional weight, more than likely at higher engine speeds.
What do springs and retainers do?
A valve spring is placed around the stem of a valve and held in place by a retainer. Its main job is to control the entire valvetrain, ensuring that the proper amount of spring pressure is applied consistently to prevent valve bounce.
What is the max lift on Vortec heads?
around 0.420 inch
The factory Vortec heads use a light, single-wire valvespring with a damper that generates between 70 and 80 pounds of load on the seat. Because these heads are meant to work with a 1.5:1 rocker, their tall valve guides can only handle maximum valve lifts of around 0.420 inch.
What does upgrading valve springs do?
This allows more of the spring load to control the valve. So a higher seat load with a lighter upper mass of the spring combines to give the valvetrain more control.
How much lift can a stock Vortec head take?
How do I know if my retainer is sealed clearance?
Before doing this you might want to check your retainer-to-seal clearance. To do this, measure the distance from the bottom of the valvespring retainer to the top of the valve seal. Then add 0.090 inch to the measurement. The number should still be larger than the maximum valve lift of your camshaft.