[wh33lman]

Valve Spring Recommendation Required, and specs.

Heads came with Comp Cams SFT cam, lifters and springs (I do not know the part numbers yet), but I am switching to HFT.

Heads - Edelbrock 87cc round ports
Cam - Crower 60919
Lifters - Crower Cam Saver 66056X3
Compression - 10.85:1
Roller Rockers - Harlan Sharpe 1.5
Retainers and locks - Comp Cams (reuse if possible)

I am leaning towards the Crower 68404 springs.

Others have suggested taking the heads the machine shop and let them determine the required springs, but I would like to know what is proven to work best before going that route.

Thanks for any input.

[steve25]

With out knowing what you have for retainers now no one can truly nail down a spring pick for you by part number.

[wh33lman]

Originally Posted by steve25

With out knowing what you have for retainers now no one can truly nail down a spring pick for you by part number.

Ok...I will go borrow a tool to use until Fedex brings mine. There are no visible part numbers.

[Steve C.]

The Crower 68404 spring is rated at 1.600" installed height. Not a good fit for the installed height on Edelbrock heads.


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[ponyakr]

Many recommend CC 995-16 springs for 1.7 installed height.

http://butlerperformance.com/i-24453...ca-995-16.html

http://www.jegs.com/i/COMP-Cams/249/995-16/10002/-1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Comp-Cams-99...38.m2548.l4275

[wh33lman]

Originally Posted by ponyakr

Many recommend CC 995-16 springs for 1.7 installed height.

That would be good news....as I have been looking at specs for those exact springs because that is what i suspect is in the heads now, but have not confirmed.

However, Installed height spec for the 995-16's is 1.55, Crower's are 1.60 and Edelbrock's say 1.8.. Could be the 995-16's are shimmed...i did not get the spring compressor tool, it was a cheap piece of crap.

Specs for springs are all over the board. seems like each manufacturer publishes different variables, making it very hard to make a comparison.

[ponyakr]

"...installed height spec for the 995-16's is 1.55..."


Have never seen this installed height spec for the 995-16 springs.

Most every site I find, including the CC cat, shows the pressure to be 115lbs @ 1.70 installed height. Obviously, the pressure will be higher with less installed height, and lower with more installed height.

The Butler site I linked also shows 115lbs @ 1.700.

http://butlerperformance.com/i-24453...ca-995-16.html

[wh33lman]

"Installed Height" is in the details section for the Crower and the Comps http://www.jegs.com/i/COMP-Cams/249/995-16/10002/-1 , as well as the seat load at 1.700"
This is what makes it very confusing, and why I posted looking for recommendations from those who know better.

[ponyakr]

Originally Posted by wh33lman

"Installed Height" is in the details section for the Crower and the Comps http://www.jegs.com/i/COMP-Cams/249/995-16/10002/-1 , as well as the seat load at 1.700"
This is what makes it very confusing, and why I posted looking for recommendations from those who know better.

Yeah, that "1.55" number is a typo. The 115lbs @ 1.700 is correct.

But, obviously, EXACT specs of the springs you buy, can only be determined with a precise, high dollar valve spring tester. Some of these engine builders can tell you aprox how much variation they have found with these springs, since they are very popular numbers for Pontiac engines.

[Steve C.]

The Comp 995 springs can be hit or miss. And not enough pressure at 1.800" IH.


Edit- hit or miss regarding their rated pressure, some have found them less than stated in the catalog and some more. They should be tested before use. Also the 995 spring has been known to lose pressure over time.


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[wh33lman]

Originally Posted by Steve C.

The Comp 995 springs can be hit or miss. And not enough pressure at 1.800" IH. .

any other choices ?
I don't mind having the machinist test and setup the springs, but these were the same guys who said the engine would perform well as is, even though it was built for a track car and not a street car.
So I need to be sure about the selection.
It was built for a much lighter car and to perform only at 3500-6500 rpm...not at all what I have planned.

[ponyakr]

Spotts & Butler shows the CC 987-16 springs for 1.8 installed height.

http://www.spottsperformance.com/valve%20springs

http://butlerperformance.com/i-24453...ca-987-16.html

http://www.competitionproducts.com/C.../#.WN3XTZArJD8

I assume that these Lunati springs will work for 1.7 installed height. They're 115lbs @ 1.70. But, if these won't work on Pontiac heads, somebody can correct this. So far, I haven't found a listing for Lunati's spring recommendation for Pontiac apps.

http://www.lunatipower.com/Product.aspx?id=6655&gid=189

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/l...ZKwaAlsi8P8HAQ

Here's another Lunati spring that was mentioned on another Pontiac forum. It's 120 @ 1.65.

http://www.lunatipower.com/Product.aspx?id=6716

http://www.jegs.com/i/Lunati/638/73949-16/10002/-1

[Steve C.]

Stated...
"I don't mind having the machinist test and setup the springs, but these were the same guys who said the engine would perform well as is, even though it was built for a track car and not a street car."

The installed height for a set of as delivered Edelbrock heads is supposed to be 1.800" with a 1.460" diameter spring.

My suggestion. Contact these guys and try to find out more about how they were set up. Example, try to verify the actual installed height on these heads. A fwiw, the installed height on heads delivered from Edelbrock have been known to vary slightly from their published specifications. That and the installed height might have been modified previously for the springs used in conjunction with the previous solid cam. And try to find out the previous spring pressure. Just because it was set up for a solid cam does not automatically eliminate them for your intended use.



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[wh33lman]

No one could tell me how this was setup.
Installed height was still 1.800" on the E-heads
So, after break in, I got a set of CC 987-16.
Only problem is the inner spring was rubbing the vitron valve seals.
Specs are very tight..Spring inner diameter = 0.697, seals diameter = 0.670" (when new)
I figure any rubbing is bad, and installed the springs from the solid CC 290B6 cam setup until I solve the seal issue...

Do seals swell over time?

[steve25]

Not Viton or Teflon types!

[johnta1]

You really need to see what YOUR heads specs are right now?

The inside spring specs (and seal outside spec), outside spring specs, install height with YOUR retainers (both inner and outer spring), etc.

Or more than likely you will need a shop to machine everything to fit.
(then just have them spec your spring?)

[Skip Fix]

Originally Posted by johnta1

You really need to see what YOUR heads specs are right now?

The inside spring specs (and seal outside spec), outside spring specs, install height with YOUR retainers (both inner and outer spring), etc.

Or more than likely you will need a shop to machine everything to fit.
(then just have them spec your spring?)

What he said!! My last set of E heads were a little short of the 1.800.

[wh33lman]

Originally Posted by Skip Fix

What he said!! My last set of E heads were a little short of the 1.800.

I upgraded my $5 calipers to a precise set and ;

The current seals' diameter is .700+, the 987-16 inner spring diameter = .695+/-.010
Installed height 1.800". valve guide diameter .530". (both stock)

Not many valve seals list their OD.
Is there an acceptable tolerance for the inner spring to outer seal measurement?
I see some seals at 0.670" OD, and that would leave about .010" with the CC987 spring.
I suppose a seal with a wide brass ring would be preferred in this situation.

[Richie Hoffman]

I have used comp cam 924 and 925 on my e heads hyd and solid flat tappetwith .050 offset retainers or locks to get installed height and psi correct