Head stud nuts won't clear between "big" springs

I'm running 1.55" diameter valvesprings. In certain spots, the head stud nuts won't fit because the springs are too wide. In other spots, they'll just barely fit but there's no way in hell a socket will fit to tighten the nut down. Please help.

I suppose I could take the "problem" springs off and install the studs/nuts first (motor is out of the car right now), but then there would be no way to take the heads off with the motor in the car. If I decide to take this route, who or where sells the type of spring compressor I need. These mofos have 600 lbs. of open pressure.

The obvious solution is a nut or bolt with a thinner head, but who sells them? That would also probably mean running bolts in the problem areas instead of studs, and then I wouldn't feel as cool.

Do you have 6 or 12 pt nuts?

ny springs were 1.43. And I used ARP 12 point nuts, only problem I ran into was that I had to grind flat sides on some of the washers but not the nuts.

Originally posted by squinn
Do you have 6 or 12 pt nuts?

6 point.

I have 1.55 springs, I have 12 pt nuts, its tight in a few spots but they work. there area few real tight ones I see no way to use a 6 pt. As dave siad you have to grind the washer flat for the #1 stud. I also had to use a 3/8 socket to torque a few down.

you need 12pointers :)

What size socket do the 12 point nuts use? 3/8"? The 6 point nuts use a 5/8", which is too big to fit between certain springs.

squinn, not sure if you meant a 3/8-drive socket or an actual 3/8" socket.

Sorry, 3/8 drive socket, I think its a 1/2 12 pt nut.

Thanks for all the help.