Can you run a narrower OD spring on your heads. Will they walk at higher rpm's and cause problems?

I'm looking into this myself and figure that if the smaller outer diameter springs in question have the same ratings as the bigger, outer diameter springs and can stand the lift, they should work as good as what is recommended.

BUT, BUT, BUT...........

Let's please hear it from the guy's that know more about springs then I do so we all will learn more about this.

pdq67

PS., I too really don't want to machine my spring seats either b/c of the possibility of breaking through and ruining my heads..

good question! 049 heads without the exhaust spring rotator makes the spring seat pretty big.... wondering if i should just install it there or what not...

It's much better if you have a spring seat or locator that keeps the spring from wandering around on the head.
It can be a cup or locator, doesn't make any difference & yes you can get away without any location device but in a higher rpm engine I would recommend against it as the springs can come clear off the heads at certain rpms due to surge.
Plus the locators or cups are very hard & protect the heads.

On the rotators, you don't want them on a performance engine. Replace them with the Comp 4779 spacers or an equivalent.
If you are really cheap you can spot weld the rotators so they can't work too :D

The rotators I've seen seem to have a taper built in to them. The spring sits on the slight taper. I'm thinking that can't be optimum especially for higher pressure springs.

The rotators that came with my 454 heads would not accept the HO454/502 valve springs, either. The inner spring would not go over the raised center of the rotator.

I needed two sets of the Comp Cams rotator eliminators, intake and exhaust. (L-29 Vortec heads)

Originally posted by Wolfplace:
It's much better if you have a spring seat or locator that keeps the spring from wandering around on the head.
It can be a cup or locator, doesn't make any difference & yes you can get away without any location device but in a higher rpm engine I would recommend against it as the springs can come clear off the heads at certain rpms due to surge.
Plus the locators or cups are very hard & protect the heads.

On the rotators, you don't want them on a performance engine. Replace them with the Comp 4779 spacers or an equivalent.
If you are really cheap you can spot weld the rotators so the can't work too :D Guess I will be adding that to the list of stuff I will buy from you! :D

Why bother to run a smaller dia. spring than what can fit in the first place? A lrger diamter spring will have better seat and open spring pressures for a given wire thickness. Also, a lrger diam. spring is more stable in relation to lift. Even if the springs you want to use that have the smaller diamter are "free", in general valve springs are relatively inexpensive - at least the street strip varieties that most of us run.

Originally posted by Schurkey:
The rotators I've seen seem to have a taper built in to them. The spring sits on the slight taper. I'm thinking that can't be optimum especially for higher pressure springs.

The rotators that came with my 454 heads would not accept the HO454/502 valve springs, either. The inner spring would not go over the raised center of the rotator.

=
Correct,, it will not work with any double spring I know of.
Actually, I was being facetious,,not recommending it ;)
It was not really meant as an option for performance use :D

Pretty much the height of "cheapness" especially considering the price of the spacers.

But I have seen it done with the Comp 911's or equivilent which are the standard single spring/damper type spring's used with most hyd cams & it appeared to work just fine.

No I didn't put the rotators back in ;)

Here's the deal, I got these 461's for $120.00 smile.gif They were worked on long ago, and just sat. The head shop checked and blasted them and reassembled for 30 bucks smile.gif The SS valve received new seals, but they recomended that I change the springs. I take the old springs to the speed shop and they say there are no springs available in that O.D. :( I try the machine shop, same thing :( They recomended machining the pockets, or running narrower springs. They both told me that as long as I don't peg 7k I'll be OK :confused: I don't plan to race my car. The Speed Pro VS-739r springs are sitting on them now, but I'm a bit skiddish. The Crane 114822 Grind # H-302/Part No. 99848 Cam I'm runnung spring requirements are, Closed: 105 lbs. @ 1.7000 Open: 280 lbs. @ 1.240. What is bothring me is the spring is rated for Open: 294 lbs. @ 1.21, coil bind 1.160. @1.21 is 3 clicks under 1.240. Can this work? I'm kinda leaning towards working the pockets :confused: