In locating the +.050 locks I need, I found there to be 2 different types of groove locks... "Conventional" and "Beadlock" for Manley locks ...which ones do regular LT1 valves use?
The ones I found are Manley part# 13162 +.050 with lash cap recess 10* for 11/32 but have the beadlock groove.

 

Wouldn't it be less hassle just to go to your local dealer and pick up some OEMs? JMHO

 

with +.050 install height and 10* locks for the beehive springs and lash caps??
Otherwise I could just get COmp 614s but would no longer use the lash caps..then I'd need to get a new pushrod length to boot...be much easier to just get locks to accomodate..but that begining to be tough to find too...I'm really hating this car, nothing ever fits without buying a ton of new parts that aren't broke

 

Call Summit 1-800-230-3030. They carry Crowers and should have exactly what you need for around $50.00 plus handling (free shipping).

 

If your Manley valves are the off-the-shelf variety they probably have conventional grooves which are square. The beaded variety has a kind of blended grove (like kinda round). Anyway, check your valve stems and see whether they are square gooved or otherwise. Don't know what the exact difference in use is regarding usage, perhaps the beaded grooves offer a tad bit more flexability to the constant beating of the retainers, whereas a square grove would allow no room for expansion and take a direct hit from the retainers. I doubt that you have, or need, beaded grooves and locks. JMHO.

 

Round groove makes the top of the valve stonger, less material removed, and no sharp edges. Also allows the valve to spin without the use of rotators which prolongs valve and seat life.

 

Not to hijack this thread, but while we're on the subject, I always heard that the taper on the OD of the valve lock fits into the taper on the ID of the retainer such that the spring pressure causes the valve lock to clamp down on the valve stem with a collet type grip. It seems to make sense because I don't see how the small raised section inside the valve lock could hold up to the constant pounding it would receive during operation.

You will notice that when the valve lock is in place there is a small gap between the two halves to allow this collet grip on the valve stem. If they mated together it wouldn't work.

Maybe someone can shed more light on this?

 

It is a collet type deal, but the tang/groove certainly helps to keep the locks locked, so to speak.

Rich

 

Ok, I think I understand the difference between the two, but I don't have them apart right now to know, was hoping I'd be able to get them apart and replace all in the same day and have parts on hand since this is my daily driver and our other daily driver is down now too for a few more weeks.

This is on stock LT4 heads / valves, so they are not aftermarket Manley valves. I saw a notation on the Manley site for a different size lock that had "Beadlock (LS1 type)" so maybe the beaded groove was for the LSx motors??