Dean, the rotators are ususlly only on the exhaust valves. You state you are repalcing springs, are you having a maching shop grind/seat the valves, check the guides , surface etc.? You can easily replace springs yourself, but it would be wise to have a complete job done at a machine shop.

 

ok well i bought this 350 on craigslist the guy said he redid everything. anyway what do the rotators look like? was i right that its the oil deflector thing? i tried google and it didnt get me anywhere....meh.....this is an expensive hobby thank god for tax season!

 

never seen rotators on a 350???

I have only seen those on 454's. and only on the exhaust valves.

 

The rotators look like a thick retainer. They were used extensively during the smog years on the SBC.

Heads like many of the 305ci, 882, 883 all used them.

Look at your valves, spring side of head. If rotators are on the exhaust, you will see a different appearing retainer assembly.

It is a different part than the steel umbrellas that deflect oil- those should be on all the valves, if OEM.

I've never build a set of heads w/OEM springs or rotators, but you might want to check the spring installed height when you dump the rotators. Should do that, anyway.

Hope this helps.

 

You really don't need rotators from waht I've seen though- I've never ran them in a sedone set of heads, they just add a lot of valvetrain weight.

If nothign else at least lap the valves and check them for seal and concentricity. :thumbup:

 

yea i was told by an old mechanic friend that when i change the springs just leave the rotator things off. i dont think im gonna use those heads anymore....my valve guides are cracked...

 

I think what he's referring to is the round bearing lookin thingy that installs at the base of the exhaust valve spring, not on the valve stem or retainer. I had a question about these recently regarding a difference in seat pressure when you remove them. A guy sent me a link to a place that sells a solid shim like piece to go in place of the rotator. I don't think these rotators can handle much more pressure than stock and I don't really see a need for them on a rebuild. Check them out here: BBC Rotator Eliminators

 

I think what he's referring to is the round bearing lookin thingy that installs at the base of the exhaust valve spring, not on the valve stem or retainer. I had a question about these recently regarding a difference in seat pressure when you remove them. A guy sent me a link to a place that sells a solid shim like piece to go in place of the rotator. I don't think these rotators can handle much more pressure than stock and I don't really see a need for them on a rebuild. Check them out here: BBC Rotator Eliminators

To eliminate the rotators just replace with intate style retainers, this will make up the difference in height.

 

I think what he's referring to is the round bearing lookin thingy that installs at the base of the exhaust valve spring, not on the valve stem or retainer.

The OP has a 350. The rotator is at the top of the spring, and also serves as a retainer.

Take a look at the valve spring on the left, HERE. The valve spring on the right depicts a non rotater equipped spring.

 

Rotaters were used on a lot of larger truck engines even back into the 40's. They supposedly were to eliminate uneven valve heating and wear when the engine idled for long periods. Because of increased valve train weight, they don't belong on high-rpm engines, but might be something to use if you were building a rock-crawler or something.