Okay, the recommened height for my valve springs in 1.80 inches. In checking the installed valve spring height with a spring height measurement tool, one of my installed heights on my spring was 1.794. Is this installed height okay and how far below the 1.80 can I go before problems, i.e. coil bind occur?

Also, I am turning the micrometer unit basically it cannot be turned further without great effort. It is definintly tight against the bottom of the retainer. Is this the correct way to use this tool?

Thanks,

Bart

Bart,
That is the correct way to use the tool. The only thing I do it smack the top of the valve a couple of times with a plastic hammer to make sure the locks are seated into the retainer. You will uslually pick up .010' by doing that. Also ... make absolutely certaint hat the tool is correct. after you take a measurement, take the tool off and set it to the same thing you had with it on the head. Then .. take a pair of dial calipers and measure the actual hgt of the tool. I have a brand new Comp spring checker and it measures .010" less than what it actually reads :( This has been true with every hieght mike I have, I just have gotten used to it and correct for it accordingly. The thinnest valve spring shims readily available are .015" so if you are within that range, you will be ok.

Thanks Bill I appreciate the response.

I use a 2" to 2-1/5" long finish nail and my dial calipers.

I just snip the end off with a pr. of dikes and file it until it fits and measure it while using a pair of light checker springs with the retainers pulled up tight.

(On top of the .015" steel seat protector shim)..

pdq67

This may be a really stupid question but here goes.
If a person lays a straight edge across all 8 valve retainers at the same time, should the straight edge lie flat on all 8 retainers, assuming they were all installed at the corrrect height?

This may be a really stupid question but here goes.
If a person lays a straight edge across all 8 valve retainers at the same time, should the straight edge lie flat on all 8 retainers, assuming they were all installed at the corrrect height?

No I don't think this will work at all, especially if you have a big block since the intake and exhaust springs are offset. Way to many variables here for it to work. First, you have the fact that you are dealing with mostly hundreths if not thousands of an inch in measurement and even a very good staight edge will have that much variability in it's straightness. Second, each valve spring seat height is going to be different, that's why you need to measure using what ever method works best for you and that will give you variability that will cause the heights to be different and with shims coming in 015, 30 and 60 thousands you are going to have variances in your installed heights due to shimming as close as you can give your shims.