What are the signs of spring retainers smashing into the valve guide seals? Would it be very noisy, or over a short period of time you start to burn oil? I've heard people talk about this but was wondering how to check it once the heads are already on the car.

[This message has been edited by Jas87T/A (edited May 08, 2001).]

 

If the engine is stock then it shouldnt be a problem. Since it probably isnt...

The only good way I can think of to get a general idea is to take one of the springs off (may as well do an intake and an exhaust) and put the retainer and locks back on the valve. Without a second person to hold the retainer in place, or maybe using a small amount of glue to hold it there (you do not want that stuff falling loose, I can almost guarantee the locks will head for the holes that lead to the oil pan) you will need valve clearance checking springs, which are just a lightweight spring that is the right size to fit under the retainer and around the seal. Those are pretty cheap. Then you have to turn the engine and see how close the retainer or locks get to the seal. Its really hard to tell any other way.

Noise is dependant upon how much its trying to smash the seal. If its not much, it wont make any noise since the rubber is fairly soft at first. It will start burning more oil after a while as the seals get beaten off the valve.

[This message has been edited by madmax (edited May 08, 2001).]

 

Would it be possible to only crush them at higher RPM's than at idle and under 3000 RPM's?

 

Sure can. There should be about .060 of clearance between the seal and whatever is going to hit them first (usually the locks). If its somewhere less than that, its possible the valves are floating a little and causing damage only at higher RPMs.