new valve springs - thinner than old

FattyBoomBatty · 02-08-2006

I just got my new "heavy duty" valve springs in the mail, opened the package and checked them out. They looked a little thin from what I remembered, so i compared them to the ones on the head in my garage and it do indeed look thinner than the stock ones.

Should this concern me? There was a label on the box that i'm sure the guy I bought them from scratched off, but it says pressure 100lbs. So, i believe they are the 100lb springs, and they fit in the retainers.

thanks.

carltalon · 02-08-2006

I think my Crowers look a little thiner then the stock ones. what brand are they suposed to be.

EclipseGST · 02-08-2006

Take them somewhere to check what pressure they are. Are the coil diameter smaller, like the thickness of the metal or is the overall size smaller?

FattyBoomBatty · 02-08-2006

I think they are schneider, that's the only brand i've heard of that makes replacment/upgrade springs specifically for the car. the diameter or the spring coil, not the overall diameter is what is thinner.

niterydr · 02-08-2006

Thinner spring diameter would mean a higher coil bind number.
If you are really worried have them tested at different seat heights.

FattyBoomBatty · 02-08-2006

Yeah, i was talking to my cousin about that and he suggested taking it to a machine shop and having them tested, but if i post on SQC and see if anyone else has these and hasn't had any problems, might I be able to just toss them on? thing is, I'm not going with higher lift, it's stock valvetrain, so it should be like stock.

niterydr · 02-08-2006

If they are weaker a valve could hang up and kiss a piston.
Not a pretty match.
If they are too stiff you are wasting horsepower on drivetrain.

FattyBoomBatty · 02-08-2006

that's why they are only 100 lb springs

slightly stiffer than stock, it'll give me peace of mind at 6500 rpm.

Jakey · 02-08-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by FattyBoomBatty

that's why they are only 100 lb springs

Keep in mind that that force is going to increase as the spring is compressed: F=-kx where x is the distance and k is your spring constant.

CVD · 02-09-2006

Yeah....but conquests cant eat valves can they? Why dont you toss em in and see where valve float is.

Shotgun! · 02-09-2006

LMAO! Nice kill, CVD! JAKEY GOT PWONDEDOBNDDVNVONED!!!!11!!!1!1!one!

Pushit2.0 · 02-09-2006

We have a valve spring lb gauge. We could test your springs, give you how many lbs of pressure at this spring height.

~John

**JET** · 02-09-2006

A thinner spring doesn't necessarily mean a lower pressure. They are likely using a better material than the truck engine originally had

I agree, put them in and let er rip.

niterydr · 02-09-2006

I personally would test them before install, doing shit twice is a waste of time. Odds are that they are a better material, but the odds are also in the favor of someone being struck by lightening before winning a lottery

.

FattyBoomBatty · 02-09-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by JET

A thinner spring doesn't necessarily mean a lower pressure. They are likely using a better material than the truck engine originally had

I agree, put them in and let er rip.

that's what's been going around in circles in my head. thanks for the good advice! i knew i shouldn't have listened to those anoka boys up at LSD!

niterydr · 02-09-2006

Maple Grove.

FattyBoomBatty · 02-10-2006

Same difference.

FattyBoomBatty · 02-11-2006

OMG, guess i should have checked the innernet before putting it back together. I got the valves installed, it wasn't too bad, i made my own spring compressor out of a couple peices of wood, then leaned on 'em. good thing I'm not a twig, but too bad I didn't have swanny over

anyway, the stock hydraulic lifters were made for late model valves (i got '83 style - longer) so the valves don't close all the way. luckily, someone is always selling a set of mechanical rockers. so i'll have it all ready to go by the time i get the required gaskets.

PEACE!