[MEAN_SBC]

I recently had my heads ported by a Carroll's performance here in Amarillo TX. They said that I needed stronger springs than the ones I was runnin on my cam. My old springs were at an installed height of 1.850. In order to get springs within the spec they recommended, they ordered me some k-motion springs, and some .050 keepers. Now my installed height is 1.900, and the retainers are SERIOUSLY close to the bottom of the rocker. They're so close that they MAY be actually touching.

My question is, what do I need to do to relieve this??? Longer pushrods??? Machine the rockers??? I want to do the right thing, and do not want to rev this thing to 7k with this little clearance issue. Any help would be appreciated!!!!

[lluciano77]

Make sure your valves aren't pulling through the keepers.

I have heavy valvesprings on my heads. At first I had the stock keepers and retainers. The keepers actually started to wear out and the valve started pulling through until my rocker arms hit my retainers. You can't see the damage until you take the keepers out and look at the grooves on them.

If they pull all the way through the valve will fall into the piston.

I ended up having to go with 10o locks and retainers.

[MEAN_SBC]

well the valves are definitely farther down than they were. The .050" keepers gave the springs more installed height, but also caused the retainer to be up closer to the rocker.

[NXS]

You may need +.100" pushrods...or you may even need to grind just a bit on you rockers(not recommended but I've seen it done before)

[Cstraub]

Take a feeler gauge and check the clearance. You need a minimum of .025". Knowing Carrol for over 10 years, I would also suggest taking it back to him and let him inspect it.. If he says its okay, then it is okay.

By the way, has the area code changed down there, the old number I have does not work to Carrols automotive.



Chris