I'm installing springs in my 350. The cam is a voodoo 60103 and I'm using the Lunati single springs they call for. The heads are sportsman II's. The cam calls for an installed height of 100# @1.75". I checked the pressures and they are all between 100 and 105 pounds at that height. The first valve I'm doing measures 1.875".
Can I use (2) .060 shims under that spring?
That would get me 1.755", is that close enough?
I've heard of coil bind problem with too much shimming, but if I'm going to the height the spring was designed for, I shouldn't have problems, right?

Thanks for the help.
Steve

I agree with you. I know they spec at least .060" additional clearance between the open/close spring distance and the coil bind distance.

check out this installation tip and information from comp cams.

http://compcams.com/Technical/FAQ/ValveSprings.asp

what's the pressure at that installed height? It's really only a few thou, but it's much better to measure and check for yourself on your parts than ask people who can't see your stuff. Keep in mind that many valve springs will lose a little pressure during the first few miles of running.

Thanks for the Comp Cam link. I guess I should ask my question differently. The problem I have is getting the spring to the correct height with one shim. My installed height is supposed to be 100 pounds at 1.75". My distance is 1.875 - one .060 shim is 1.815. At this height the spring would only have 85 pounds of seat pressure, not near enough. If I use 2 shims, I would be a lot closer. Can I use 2 shims, or will it cause the spring to move around because it isn't seated in the pocket? If I can't use 2 shims, what do people use?
Thanks
Steve

you can use 2, but the springs do need to be at least partially in the pocket or be located on the I.D. by the guide. Don't set the springs up tall and low pressure. Are the valves .100 long?

You can get keepers that re-locate the retainers, but I think they're mostly for making stuff taller.

Thanks Tom
The heads are sportsman II's, and they are machined for both 1.25" & 1.55" spring diameters. The 1.25 pocket is only .030 deeper than the 1.55 (I'm using the stock diameter 1.25 springs). So I guess any shim .030+ will make the spring sit higher than the pocket. The springs I'm taking out used .060 shims, and they didn't walk around, but I'd rather see the bottom held in place by something. I did find -.050 locks that would help, but I'm still going to be a little long.

I may have to start looking for a larger diameter spring that would fit into the 1.55" pocket, I'd have to buy new retainers and shims again:confused:.
Steve

I believe you need different retainers.
Mike

Mike-
That might be exactly what I need, I didn't know they made different height retainers, I see summit has some that are .090 short. That would take up alot of my extra height. Guess I need to find the right combo of retainers, locks, and shims to get it right. I'm still a little puzzled on the sportsman heads. You can hardly shim them at all without being taller than the cup.
Thanks for the help
Steve

If you are trying to do two things, keep the spring from walking and add some shims, consider the spring cups, that would help you get to your spring height and keep spring in a shoulderless pocket. Get them to fit your guide boss and outer spring. think that would help.