Bought new valve springs..have questions concerning height

[Ronn]

Ok, I went and bought 12 new Sealed Power 68' 289 exaust valve springs and they are about a 1/4" taller than the ones off the 250 head. Is this normal? The diameter is the same as well as coil count but the new ones are taller. I thought that maybe the new ones are what they are supposed to be and the old ones are just compressed and no good.

New ones measure 2.010"
Old ones are 1.885"

Thats .125..1/4" exact

Anybody?

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy Ronn:

The stock 200/250 valve springs have a free height of 2". The old springs could be worn on the ends or sagging due to time, heat and stress. YOu could do a compression test on the old ones to see how close to specs they are. They should read 54 lbs valve closed @ 1.59" compression, and 150 lbs valve open @ 1.22" of compression.

2.010" is within the normal range for a new spring. The new V8 springs are rated at 60 lbs open/ 175 lbs closed, at the same heights listed above.

If you're using these springs on a higher lift cam or with high lift rocker arms be sure to check for coil bind before start up.

Adios, David

 

[Ronn]

60 lbs is all? I was told they are 80 lb? Someone here said that 68 289 exaust springs are 80 lb so thats what I bought...what are my options?

I need more than 60 lbs for sure. I have clay smith cam 274 single pattern with 450 lift.

 

[80Stang]

I have the same cam and run Comp Cams springs part# 902-12 that are rated at 48@1.600 and 146@1.250 and so far I haven't noticed valve floating and have revved it to 5500-6000 range.

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy Back:

Ronn- If you have valve float problems with these springs you have other problems. They should easily be good to 6,000 rpm. Anymore spring pressure than you need to control the valves just accelerates wear.

I think you are refering to the '73 to '78 302 exhaust valve springs. they are rated at 80 lbs closed and 200 lbs valve open.

FYI- The '67 - '68 289 V8 springs are the same- intake and exhaust. The '73 - '78 exhaust springs are different than the intake springs.

And, our six cylinder valves are lighter than their V8 equal size because of their smaller diameter stems 5/16" = sixes, 3/8" = V8s. Less weight equals less spring pressure to control.

You can lessen the need for heavier springs to control the valves by using the lighter, one piece, valve spring retainer and back-cutting the larger intake valves.

Adios, David

 

[wsa111]

I, believe you fellows are using to light a spring on the clay smith cams. I spoke with George at clay smith & he recommends nothing less than 80-90# on the seat for their cams. Crane recommends 80# for most of their cams for the 144-250 sixes. Apparently these cams have a faster rate of lift than the comp cam. If comp cams only recommendes 50# for seat pressure this cam has a very slow rate of valve opening.
Cliffords older camshafts even used a dual spring with 110# on the seat. Erson grinds their cams.
If you are using a stock cam or the comp cams which have a very slow rate of lift then the lower tension will suffice.
If your engine has a lot of modifications done I feel the camshaft with the quickest lift for a given amount of duration will definately enhance your power by giving more area under the curve. William

 

[Ronn]

Thats what I have always been told as well. Kind of confused here but the amount of wear between 60 and 80 can't be that much and I do plan on driving the heck out of this thing anyway so it will wear and tear anyways Atleast the tread off the tires

So if clay smith cams recomends 80 lb minimum then I guess thats what I should use right? Beings since I have a clay smith cam and it's near the top of the size meter. Makes sense.

Well, ya talked me into it Will, 80 it is.

Do you have a part number for those one peice retainers and do I need to modify the valves at all to use them?

 

[wsa111]

Ronn, David CZLN6 mentioned the ford 302 exhaust valve spring has 80# but maybe he will chime in on the stock one piece retainer from ford.
if you use the clay smith springs & retainers get intouch with mike www.fordsixparts.com
however what springs & retainers you use make sure only if you are using the 1.65 full roller rocker arms & full spring loaded teflon one piece valve seals that you have clearance between the retainer & the seal at full lift, which in my case is .495. I had to machine .040 from the bottom of the clay smith retainer for proper retainer to valve seal clearance. If in doubt check. William

 

[kirkallen143]

Howdy,
Aren't those one-piece retainers off of the Ford 4.0 V-6, and if so, does anything need to be done to the head to allow for these retainers? Reason asking is E0BB head is in the shop now recieving a valve job and if springs do not spec out, wanted to go this route with the '67-'68 Ford 289 springs and one piece 4.0 V-6 retainers. This is from the Ford Falcon Handbook, right? Appreciate the info if any.

Kirk ' 73 bronco

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy:

The FoMoCo part # for the one piece 4.0 V6 retainers is E6TZ64536-A. They will replace the OEM two piece retainers with no other changes.

The 67 - 68 1/2 289/302 springs are NAPA # 212-1165.

The '73 - '75 302 exhaust valves are NAPA #212-1059.

Adios, David

 

[Ronn]

Thank you very much. Off to see the wizard..er counter guy at napa