just picked up dual valve springs and need some advice on them,the inner spring is not going over the shim, can i shave a little bit off and make it fit? off the spring or the shim, and i need to know how to keep the inner spring compressed with the outer one, and finally i need pics of a properly locked valve spring with no rocker in the way,

im starting my spring swap after xmas so i can finally get my cam in and done. first time im doing all of this in awhile and need a little help

 

springs don't go "over" a shim. Shims look like flat wasers in various thicknesses for use under the spring locator to adjust "nstalled" spring height.

from the head up the order is:
shim (if needed)
spring locator
spring
retainer
locks

you put all on in that order except locks. use a spring compressor until valve stem sticks up high enough to put locks in then release spring compressor slowly to secure locks in retainer.

 

heres a pic of what im talking about, do you see the thingsthe springs wouldsiton? do you see how its raised? the inner spring isnt going over it its just sitting on it, but its not touching the valve seal, so is it safe to install this way?

and for peace of mind does anything have a pic of properly locked springs? last thing i want is one of these things letting go and destroying the motor

 

 

heres pics of the issues im having





is where the inner spring rests normal? and how can i keep both springs compressed while i install?

 

also anyone know if i can just use the outer spring and not use the inner?

 

We need more info. What cam are you going to run, part#, lift etc. You may not need a double spring. Most cam manufactures have a recommended spring. It looks like you're trying to use the stock spring seat with a double spring. Since the heads are removed I would look into getting a valve job and let the shop install the correct spring.

 

those springs were not made for those locators (what you call shims) you need the correct spring. "shims" go under those locators to get the correct installed height. you need a spring height measure tool to determine how many, if any, shims are needed. Shims come in a package with a variety of thicknesses so you can use a combo of diffrent sizes to get whatever additional height you need for the installed spring. The spring will have what spec it needs to be installed at. most "aftermarket" springs are 1.800". stock is 1.75"

do you have specific brand & part #'s for the springs, locators, retainers and locks you have?

 

I'd look into some different spring locaters first - see if you can find some from Comp or Crane that have the smaller ID for the inner spring, because that is the cheapest way to go. Also look into the different spring compressor made for these engines, because they are way easier to use that the one you are using in the photo. It looks like this and does both springs at once and can be used easily on an assembled engine.

 

ok so ive found out some info on my springs, they are these here

Small Block Chevy Valve Springs Cylinder Heads SBC 350 327 Chevy 1 44 Dual Kit | eBay

now my worry is am I cutting to too close to the coil bind area?

my cam specs are as follows

gross valve lift: intake .502 exhaust .520

durantion@ .050 intake 224 exhaust .236

will I be safe running these springs since they are a .550 lift? bought these thinking they were .600 lift, but for 30$ and them coming with new retainers, and locks aong with the springs not having even one second of run time I think I still didn't lose,

and all of comp cams numbers are WITH roller rockers being installed correct?

and also thanks for everyone who is helping me out thru PM and Forum replies!!

 

I have double springs its the inner spring that in showing having the issue clearing the valve spring locator.

good info here, I have a part number of springs that look just like mine, not sure if they have multiple springs that look just like these that are different lifts, the part number I see that looks like mine is posted above, incase the link isn't any good any longer here are the specs copied from the link,


Suitable CHEVY 350 SMALL BLOCK

SBC Chevy 1.44 Dual Valve Springs Retainers Kit V8

Suitable for


Chevy 3.5 BRAND NEW

now AVAILABLE

SBC Chevy 1.44 Dual Valve Springs ONLY V8

BIG SPRING HEIGHT 60.52 MM

WIDTH 36.47MM

INNER DIAMETER SPRING 27.32 MM


THICKNESS OF WIRE 4.62 MM

SMALL SPRING HEIGHT 50.30MM

WIDTH 24.18 MM

INNER DIAMETER 17.87MM

WIRE THICKNESS 3.15MM



SEAT PRESSURE 110# 1.700%u201D 90#1.750%u201D

OPEN PRESSURE 325# @ 1.200%u201D

COIL BIND 1.150%u201D

.550 LIFT VALVE SPRING

 

I would suggest another spring set up.

 

ive got the correct spring locators now, so my only question is can i run these .550 lift springs with the 520 lift cam?

 

Information found on Comp Cams website:

The Truth About Valve Springs - CPG Nation Forum


"Once the valve springs have been installed, it is important to check for coil bind. This means that when the valve is fully open, there must be a minimum of .060%u201D clearance between the coils of both the inner and outer springs. If this clearance does not exist, you must change either the retainer or the valve to gain more installed height, or change to a spring that will handle more lift or machine the spring seat for extra depth."

You will not know what the clearance between the coils will be until you compress the spring (using the retainer) to the installed height minus the valve lift, i.e. if the installed height is 2 inches, compress the spring (with the retainer in place) to 2" minus .520" and measure the distance between the coils. You can make that measurement with the inner spring and outer spring independently of one another. You're looking for a minimum of .060" vertical clearance between the coils. This test is best performed on a valve spring tester, not in a bench vise. Wear eye protection.

c

 

Op "lift" specs for cams are generally published for 1.5 ratio rockers so if running 1.6 you need to do the math but it looks like you will be in coil bind running 1.6 ratio.

also those springs appear to be for older SBC double hump FI heads for 327

I would get springs for the LT1 or bee hives like comp 26918 with the correct retainers, locks & locators