I just got the last of my parts in to do my 1.6 RR install and have a few questions. This will all probably be obvious when I get the valve covers off, but I would like to know before I get started.

How exactly to the locks (also referred to as keepers) stay on the valve stem? I'm looking at the retainers and locks now, and I'm guessing that there must be a shoulder machined onto the valvestem that the locks are pushed up into by the force of the spring. I've looked at a few pics from shoebox's site and others, and it looks like this is the case, but I can't tell for sure.

Thanks for the help.

 

Basically you are right. The grove holds the keeper the taper(wedge) holds the retainer.