Problem with new valvesprings/retainers CRANE
 

Ok guys, I've had these springs/retainers etc on my sons motor for AWHILE (still on engine stand) I had the machine shop do the work on the heads and install the new springs. The heads are GT40s from an Explorer.

Problem is this:
All of the retainers on the exhaust valvesprings hit on the bottom of the rockers (stock crane "cobra" rockers, I believe I got from someone on here but don't remember) before the tip of the rocker hits the top of the valvestem.

I noticed all the exhaust springs have a shim under the springs so I went and got a valvespring tool (which works pretty well actually) and took the shim out and put the locks back in and it is still the same. I will update with some pictures as soon I can post them from my phone.

Just not sure what to do with this as this is above my "paygrade"....I am pretty much just waiting on resolving this issue to put the motor/trans (needs a VB and convertor) into my son's Fairmont....

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...g?t=1363807654
Model number on the retainers

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...g?t=1363807657
Stock Cobra rockers

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...g?t=1363807662
Difference in spring height (bad angle but you get the idea)

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...g?t=1363807727
Difference in retainers

These are the beehive springs that were recommended to me at Summit, brand new, never run, the valves "far as I know" are the stock ones 11/32" stems, as you can tell the intake and exhaust have different retainers The tops of the valvestems are all even, it's the tops of the springs that are NOT and are causing the interference with the rockers....

Any help would be appreciated....

Brad

Is there a difference in the locks?

I think....Let me check, but ya if you just look at them they look different to me! I'll check and see if I can find the spring (kit) on summit's site...

The GT-40 heads have different stem heights for the exhaust and intake valves, why I don't know (beancounter), you can put lash caps on the short ones and that should solve your problem.

Was this specific to the P heads? I don't recall my cobra heads being that way

I used to run gt40 heads back in the day, and I measured my valves and they were the same length... and I wouldnt advise to NOT running lash caps...thats a worse disaster waiting to happen.. They do have a diff style of lash caps that you can run! are you sure the installed heights are the same?

I think the locks are the problem. I always use the same locks on all valves on the heads I have run

after doing some research, it is because the groove in the exhaust valve is lower than the groove on the intake valves. Valves are stock valves. Install height now is 1.99" (top of the head where spring sits, to the top of the spring/bottom of retainer) I "believe" they call for an installed height of 1.94" therefor requiring that the spring come down another .o50" which would give me the room I need on the rockers....I "think"

they have offset keepers that are either + .050" or - .050" so I'm thinking I need the -.050" s