Rebeldryver's '70 Caprice Granny's Luxo-Muscle-Barge

[Scott Liggett]

why aren't the retainers centered on the springs?

and that sucks with the lifters - I think I'll be changing mine because of your issues with those.

If you're running Comp's Magnums, I wouldn't worry about them. I've been using their stuff for 20 years and never had a failure. My mistake was not buying their cam or rocker arms on this engine.

[Huskinhano]

Man, be that's got to maddening as hell.

[Runner1972]

I'd be pissed off.

[Scott Liggett]

I'd be pissed off.

I was that months ago. What's the next step up the anger ladder?

[Huskinhano]

I was that months ago. What's the next step up the anger ladder?

Gun permit?

[SuperBuickGuy]

If you're running Comp's Magnums, I wouldn't worry about them. I've been using their stuff for 20 years and never had a failure. My mistake was not buying their cam or rocker arms on this engine.

umm... no really, why aren't your retainers centered on your springs?

[Scott Liggett]

umm... no really, why aren't your retainers centered on your springs?

F*** if I know. Dont care at this point.

[SuperBuickGuy]

Sorry for frustrating you, I should have explained more. I'm concerned because if there's uneven pressure on the valve stem, it'd be possible for the spring/valve to bind up. If it binds up, it'd break something - in your case, rocker arms.

[Scott Liggett]

The retainers are smaller diameter than the spring. I still dont care.

[Huskinhano]

Sorry for frustrating you, I should have explained more. I'm concerned because if there's uneven pressure on the valve stem, it'd be possible for the spring/valve to bind up. If it binds up, it'd break something - in your case, rocker arms.

I don't think it's going to have much of an effect on a street motor that probably spends 70% under 3500 RPM. I'd say Scott's rocker problems are cheap ass chinese rockers. I'd say one had a flaw and cracked and the other looks like it had a lubrication problem. Maybe the oil orifice in the pushrod socket wasn't drilled or partiall clogged with a bur. It could be poor machining of the ball and it's socket as well.

Here's an interesting clip of the forces on valve stem and spring at high RPM.

[Caveman Tony]

Well.... at least the valve is still there.

[Scott Liggett]

The valves are fine.

Though, I've been doing some research, talking to my machinist, and other people smarter than me. These closed chambered oval ports may be going. I also have been surfing CL and have found some deals out there. My current heads dont flow for crap. Going up to larger valves would only shroud them further. But, this will not be soon or quick.

[Huskinhano]

What are you looking for, the mid 70 oval port that had the semi open chambers?

[Scott Liggett]

I have a couple options that are in my price range. The best oval ports out there are the 048 & 781's open chamber heads. They have 2.19 intake valves and their chamber design doesnt shroud the intake valves. My 291's are not the bathtub closed chamber type. They have a wedge around the spark plug, but they still suck and have tiny 2.08 valves.

I also have a set of rect port Performer RPM's that may be available, but they need welding.

[langleylad]

Why all of a sudden do you need new heads ?