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Flat head valve spring question

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Old Jan 14, 2026 | 07:00 PM
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Flat head valve spring question

I am rebuilding my eab 239 v8 motor. Can someone verify the test height and compression force for my valve springs. Thanks.
 
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Old Jan 14, 2026 | 07:26 PM
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The 1950 truck V8 should have 40-43 lbs on the springs with a test length of 2.13".
 
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Old Jan 14, 2026 | 07:54 PM
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My old springs aren't much longer than that. Most of what I have seen are rated 85# @ 2". The original motor was replaced by a eab and I don't know the year. Do you have a part number? I'm not where I can measure them now. thanks
 
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Old Jan 14, 2026 | 08:11 PM
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The "generic" and 1950 listing Ford part number 78-6513 which is 2.41" long... Should be used with 8BA-6505-A valves

A later 1950 specific part number would be 0BA-6513-A which is 2.48" long... Should be used with 8BA-6505-A, 8RT-6505-A,B,C valves

Another option from the books is 1BA-6514-A which is 2.20" long... Should be used with 1BA-6505-A valves. These have a test length of 1.89" and a a range of 39-44 lbs.
 

Last edited by bmoran4; Jan 14, 2026 at 08:15 PM.
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Old Jan 14, 2026 | 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by bmoran4
Another option from the books is 1BA-6514-A which is 2.20" long... Should be used with 1BA-6505-A valves. These have a test length of 1.89" and a a range of 39-44 lbs.
An EAB engine would have valve rotators, which use a shorter spring than the '48 - '50 assemblies. The spec above should be the correct one, unless the valves and retainers, etc. have been replaced with the earlier type.
 

Last edited by ALBUQ F-1; Jan 14, 2026 at 08:54 PM.
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Old Jan 14, 2026 | 09:02 PM
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These days, I find it is very hard to trust flathead designations as the history of the engine is unknown and many parts/assemblies can be interchanged individually, or as a set of components. EAB heads (the over simplified tell that some use) can be found on just about any block build.
 
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Old Jan 15, 2026 | 06:38 PM
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I checked the springs @ 2" and they were 20+28#. They measured 2.20" free. The valve length was 4.820-4.830 and the keeper groove is .220 from the end. No rotaters. I thick I need new springs and want to get the correct ones. The #4 exhaust valve seat was cupped indicating weak spring tension. I have owned this truck since the 60's and believe the motor was swapped before I bought it hence the EAB motor
Thanks for your help.
 
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Old Jan 16, 2026 | 12:48 PM
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It sounds like you have short rotator style springs with early valves, or at least without rotators. They seem to be weak regardless.
I'm not sure what you mean by the seat being "cupped"? Do you mean the seat has recessed? I don't think weak springs would cause any damage to a seat.
Does the engine have hardened valve seats? If not I highly recommend you get them installed, especially if you aren't running rotators.
.
 
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Old Jan 17, 2026 | 08:36 AM
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Only #4 exhaust was recessed and it was 360 degrees. I read somewhere that this was a sign of weak pressure force. I am checking with a couple suppliers on their 1Ba 6513 spring pressure force. Thanks for your help.
Only #4 exhaust was recessed and it was 360 degrees. I read somewhere that this was a sign of weak pressure force. I am checking with a couple suppliers on their 1Ba 6513 spring pressure force. Thanks for your help.
 
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Old Jan 17, 2026 | 09:22 AM
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Note that there are a lot of parts that must all come together in compatible set.








 
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Old Jan 17, 2026 | 10:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Goshencars
Only #4 exhaust was recessed and it was 360 degrees. I read somewhere that this was a sign of weak pressure force. I am checking with a couple suppliers on their 1Ba 6513 spring pressure force. Thanks for your help.
Only #4 exhaust was recessed and it was 360 degrees. I read somewhere that this was a sign of weak pressure force. I am checking with a couple suppliers on their 1Ba 6513 spring pressure force. Thanks for your help.
That is a rotator type assembly, which would be correct for an EAB engine (stock).

Rotator on the left, early non-rotator on the right.


 
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Old Jan 18, 2026 | 05:40 AM
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I think you nailed it. Looks like my motor is a 1951 EAB motor with non rotating valves. I feel confident now with the springs I need. Thank you, thank you
 
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Old Jan 18, 2026 | 06:03 AM
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The EAB wasn't introduced until 1952/53.

51 was the introduction of the rotator valve styles which is evident in the keeper mechanism differences.

It is my understanding that your EAB wouldn't have hardened valve seats from the factory. Most elect to have hardened valve seats and related installed at rebuild.
 
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Old Jan 18, 2026 | 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by bmoran4
The EAB wasn't introduced until 1952/53.

51 was the introduction of the rotator valve styles which is evident in the keeper mechanism differences.

It is my understanding that your EAB wouldn't have hardened valve seats from the factory. Most elect to have hardened valve seats and related installed at rebuild.
Am I right when I say earlier flatheads had hardened seats?
 
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Old Jan 18, 2026 | 01:30 PM
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Originally Posted by abe
Am I right when I say earlier flatheads had hardened seats?
That is what some sources say Abe. These days, many Flatheads have deviated from their factory configuration.

In digging through my stacks of service bulletins, I found more documentation on the valve style changes:





 
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