Valve Spring Question

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Feb 8, 2007 | 11:18 PM

#16

Hypoid

Cargo Master

Joined: Apr 2004

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From: Golden, CO

The world just keeps getting smaller Jake. My ex in-laws (outlaws?) used to be caretakers at Bader Pits. I used to have a key to the gate...20 years ago.

Are the pits still open to the public?

Feb 9, 2007 | 04:46 PM

#17

jseim44

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From: St. Libory

Yea, Bader is still open!!!! I've never been there though. From what I've heard the people that run it now are charging people through the nose to get in and what not (not really how it's s'posed to be run).

To keep this somewhat FE related - I just got back from the machine shop. Block is bored .030 and crank is turned .010/.010. I'm getting very excited about getting this thing back together and hearing it run again. It should make some pretty good power for my ol' 3/4 ton!!!!

-Jake

Feb 26, 2007 | 06:36 PM

#18

jseim44

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From: St. Libory

Just getting this updated and back on track.....Comp recommends the 926 valve springs for the 280H that I'm running. These are only a single spring. Since they're recommending them I'm not in doubt that will handle the lift and duration. The thing I'm wondering about is if I should spend the money on all new locks and retainers. I figure with the retainers - yes, most likely that would be the best move. However, I don't know if I would really need new locks?

Sorry about all the questions. I'm pretty new to this and am finding out that I know more about a 390 Ford than my auto teacher (although that doesn't take much). I just don't want to screw this up!!!

Thanks
-Jake

Feb 26, 2007 | 08:14 PM

#19

RapidRuss

FE "Freakin Expensive"

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 6,461

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From: Smith Mountain Lake, VA

Well Retainers and locks are cheap enough...Anytime you replace old used..your a step ahead of the game for insurance!! JMO

RJ

Feb 26, 2007 | 08:17 PM

#20

aMoneypit

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 162

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From: Newbury Park Ca.

Yes buy the locks, probably the cheapest insurance you'll ever find.
On the spring subject, there was a thread at a different site that had super slo mo of springs in action at various RPMs and the harmonics involved. Talk about scary!! Those springs were doing all sorts of dancing around, rebounding off the seat, different coils going in different directions, and the valve stems actually flexing sideways.........WOW scary, and the film was done on a Nextel cup engine!!! aMP

Feb 27, 2007 | 12:33 AM

#21

"Beemer Nut"

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From: "Islander"

I replaced Ford's keepers years ago with Manley's chromoly keepers, get them in standard, +.050" and -.050".

Feb 27, 2007 | 04:39 PM

#22

jseim44

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From: St. Libory

That's kind of what I expected to hear from you guys. Thanks again for all the advice. I will order the Comp springs, retainers, and locks in short order!!!!

-Jake

Feb 27, 2007 | 08:14 PM

#23

"Beemer Nut"

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From: "Islander"

Check the cam and spring manufacture for the required seat pressure and assembled height. Between the use of different height keepers and shims you can get within .010" of the assembled height for the correct seat pressure.
Some machine shops will do a "that's good enough" type of work where you'll have too high of seat pressure on some valves with others in spec.