I just purchased a pair of rebuilt 333882 heads for my 350 Engine. The heads have new springs, their are Pioneer P/N RV880X with the following specification:

76 to 84 pounds @ 1.70"
194 to 206 pounds @ 1.25"

Could I keep my stock springs with one of these camshaft:

1) CraneCams Energizer 272H, 272/272, 0.454"/0.454" ?

2) CompCams Magnum 270H, 270/270, 0.470"/0.470" ?

3) CompCams High Energy 268H, 268/268, 0.454"/0.454" ?

4) CompCams Extreme Energy XE262, 262/268, 0.462"/0.469" ?

Did any one used any of the above with similar stock springs? If so how did it perform?

Thanks,
Daniel.

Those springs are not adequate to control the valve with any of those cams. Most especially not the Comp XE cam and the Magnum cam. The other 2 are somewhat less aggressive on the ramps, but are still too much for those springs.

Get the right valve springs for whatever cam you use. It's cheaper in the long run to build the motor right, than dealing with broken springs, wiped cam lobes, a motor that won't rev, etc. etc.

Any of those cams will work OK with those heads, to the limited extent that the heads will allow any cam to work; the XE262 is probably the best of the group to go with them. Its extra exhaust duration will help make up for the extremely poor flow of those smogger heads.

You can "rent" a valve spring compressor at Auto Zone or CSK or Advance, and change the springs yourself.

Daniel, to give you an idea, I've found that stock valvesprings can barely handle a stock cam only after a few years. Put a cam with more intense lobes, and you've got problems. Matching valve springs to camshafts is critical .

those springs will work with cam 1 and 3 with ease they will last for years anyway........i have ran those cams with just stock replacement spring in the past on mild engine rebuilds.........those cams give up early in the rpm range and even if you do try and rev the crude out of them you will go into valve float just past 6000 rpms depending on the installed height........at this rpm your already past the "pulling power" .......

but if you do want to run any cam bigger then this then just by the z28 springs for they sell for around 25 bucks and these can handle about any cam that is hydraulc under .510 lift......i use these spring in any rebuilt 350 anymore since they are just slighlty better then stock......and they are dirt cheap.......the most common cam i run with the springs is the summit 234/244 cam with .488/.510 lift and this works like a charm with these springs and 7000 rpms is nothing for this cam and spring combo.......but this cam makes best power to 6500 rpms. anything above this isnt needed but it does go to 7000 rpms........

anyway......if money is tight you can use your current springs for cam 1 and 3.....with those cams you motor will like 5500 shift points which is well below, before they will go into valve float.........

im not trying to undermind anything that is being said from the other reply's im just saying what has worked for me for alot of years and thats what i do......i wouldnt tell you something that i didnt know that works.......

as far as the xtreme line of cams i have yet to deal with they may need more spring pressure then what a z28 style spring can provide. most of the rebuilds i do are on the budget side and the cams are more of the older school design that have been around for years that have the slower ramp on them......so the "weaker" springs work out just fine.......

and if you would like to step up on cam the 284 crane cam works very well with a 9.0 to 1 motor with the z28 springs.nice dual plane with q-jet even in a 81 truck 1/2 ton with stock 1800 stall and 3.08 single spinner ran 15.80's thru first and sec gear........in the 1/4 mile....this cam liked 6200 rpm shift point.........

Thanks for your responses and advises.

This brings more questions, the recommended springs have the following spec:

105 pounds @ 1.700"
295 pounds @ 1.250"

The recommended spring have approx 1.5 more pressure at 1.250".

If I replace my stock springs:

1) Do I need to replace the press-fit rocker studs for screw-in type?

2) Can I re-use the stock fastners (i.e. retainers & valve locks)?

3) Can I re-use my stock pushrods?

4) Can I re-use my stock rockers?

Thanks,
Daniel.

Daniel,
I have to go with RB69SS396Conv completely on this.
I don't feel the stock 880 spring is adequate for any of those cams.
It is very rare that you will have a stud problem although it is possible.
Pretty much yes to everything else on your list with the good old Z28 spring.
The Z28 spring will also work with the smaller XE cams.


As for 7000 RPM with any hyd cam,,, unless you are adjusting the valve lash at zero or with clearance I have just not seen any hyd cams reliably go to 7000 RPM.

6,500rpm easy in a 195hp/283 b/c it has the little 1.72" dia. intake valve heads so the intakes are lighter..

Been there, done that and ran the dog out of my Mom's car when I was a kid!!

I just lashed them at about an 1/8th to a 1/4 turn down when I tuned her up..

pdq67