will stock keepers and locks hold 120lbs seat pressure??
- Thread starter sctty1986
- Start date
and some single springs with dampener held in by the stock retainers and locks. will the locks hold upto the pressure or shear off 
in due time? 
I'm not sure how long they would last but they would hold obviously not last as long as better parts would.
but I think that 120 lbs of seat pressure is a bit excessive for the cam you described.
but I think that 120 lbs of seat pressure is a bit excessive for the cam you described.
Howdy:
A stock two piece retainer is not machined for a damper lip.
I'd suggest that you recheck your numbers. 200 open sounds ok, but 120 closed is too high for any commonly used valve spring we see on a 200. Check the springs without the dampers. Also, the 1.68" and 1.23" heights would be the check heights for a relatively stock cams lift of .360" - 380-". If your cam has .450" you would need to check spring pressure at lifts specific to that cam. And be sure to check for clearance between the bottom of the retainer and the top of the valve stem seal.
The stock locks are quite stout. I've not heard of locks giving up, but there's always a first. If the open pressure of 200 is correct, then I wouldn't be too worried. That's not too over the top. The single groove Ford style keepers are used on some pretty fierce engines. If there's a weak issue (and it's a small one) it's more likely related to the smaller diameter valve stems of the six cylinder valves. The locks are correspondingly smaller too. Less material= less strength and durability.
Adios, David
A stock two piece retainer is not machined for a damper lip.
I'd suggest that you recheck your numbers. 200 open sounds ok, but 120 closed is too high for any commonly used valve spring we see on a 200. Check the springs without the dampers. Also, the 1.68" and 1.23" heights would be the check heights for a relatively stock cams lift of .360" - 380-". If your cam has .450" you would need to check spring pressure at lifts specific to that cam. And be sure to check for clearance between the bottom of the retainer and the top of the valve stem seal.
The stock locks are quite stout. I've not heard of locks giving up, but there's always a first. If the open pressure of 200 is correct, then I wouldn't be too worried. That's not too over the top. The single groove Ford style keepers are used on some pretty fierce engines. If there's a weak issue (and it's a small one) it's more likely related to the smaller diameter valve stems of the six cylinder valves. The locks are correspondingly smaller too. Less material= less strength and durability.
Adios, David
rbohm":28j4jonj said:
If the Parts are all New , Id agree , BUT used , Id upgrade its cheap insurance , you drop a valve it takes out the motor.
ok lemme explain my dilema. i just bought on ebay some xyledene titanium retainers that according to specs will work with my setup onlything is , is that i cant find titanium locks for my valves. 5/16 stock diameters notices with a magnet my exhaust valve is stainless steel. anybody have any experience with these spring pressures and comp cams hardware? or should i just change the retainers locks and get some weaker springs. had a buddy bust a lock on a 302, and another buddy snap a valve stem completely off and into the rice cooker it went to make its mark. "umm u could use the piston to hold a valve while u are working on the head. get 11 more and u got a whole set". lmao
i really wanna get some hardware that i dont have to be scared putting together. i installed the springs and checked the installed height its 1.62 and looked to check and inspect the lock after disassembly and it had a mark on the lock groove itself from the valve. is this a sign of immediate atention or could it be an old marking dont have any pics.went ahead and assembled the head to clean the workbench. but it really worries me bc i just rebuilt the whole engine from top to bottom, cleaned every nook and cranny painted it all up. checked everything into spec with plastigauge pocket ported the head with the short side shaped, the valves are backcut and polished the tulip..005 deck height , cc`ed cc,shaved the head, bought the cam from mike, after countless hours of reading forums and playing with compression ratios and deck height configurations.
Anybody out there got any suggestions. new springs or just stronger locks and retainers and which locks for my retainers? :thanks:
i really wanna get some hardware that i dont have to be scared putting together. i installed the springs and checked the installed height its 1.62 and looked to check and inspect the lock after disassembly and it had a mark on the lock groove itself from the valve. is this a sign of immediate atention or could it be an old marking dont have any pics.went ahead and assembled the head to clean the workbench. but it really worries me bc i just rebuilt the whole engine from top to bottom, cleaned every nook and cranny painted it all up. checked everything into spec with plastigauge pocket ported the head with the short side shaped, the valves are backcut and polished the tulip..005 deck height , cc`ed cc,shaved the head, bought the cam from mike, after countless hours of reading forums and playing with compression ratios and deck height configurations.
Anybody out there got any suggestions. new springs or just stronger locks and retainers and which locks for my retainers? :thanks:
falcon1963
Well-known member
Use these Comp Cams 7' locks. For your application 120# is not that excessive.
http://www.compperformancegroupstores.c ... gory_Code=
http://www.compperformancegroupstores.c ... gory_Code=
umm i have a 1989 302 engine sitting there and i decided to compare springs and their pressures. and when i diassembled the valve and took the spring out of the compressor wuaaalaaa 
same open height and amount of installed pressure. only difference is that they are counter clockwise a clockwise wound but same diameter wire.
and for a sidenote checked my springs without the dampener and no difference.
same open height and amount of installed pressure. only difference is that they are counter clockwise a clockwise wound but same diameter wire.and for a sidenote checked my springs without the dampener and no difference.
