so ive been reading around and searching. im going to be running 081 heads with a zz4 cam. for this i have gotten manleys's 22410-16 springs and 23652-16 retainers which are +.050. the springs are 1.750 installed height and i hear the stock springs are 1.70. so in this case im probably thinking to much and need sleep but i think that with those 2 put together no shims would be needed. am i wrong or would i need to shim these like one guy had which used a .030 shim for the same setup?

 

You need to put them together and measure the installed height, and then go from there. I doubt you will even need the offset retainers cause the stock installed height usuall is around 1.750". But every head is different, what works for one guy might not work for you.

Seth

 

thanks

im using the offset retainers because im allowing the .510 lift from the zz4 cam on my heads. i thought stock installed height was 1.700? if thats the case then wouldnt i be up to 1.75 with the retainers being offset .050 so i should be fine with it like that since thats what i need? just wanna be sure.

 

No. The offset moves the retainer position relative to the valve stem. The installed height is still the installed height - the distance from the head surface to the retainer spring surface.

 

If the retainer is offset to the valve tip the how does that not change installed height? Moving it closer to the tip would add height and farther away would decrease height, correct? Unless the offset retainer is designed to add valve tip length while keeping the retainer spring surface at the same place?

The only ways to change installed height would be to use a longer valve, change the retainer, machine the spring pocket down, or add shims to move the spring up, right?

Anyway, if you have some way to measure the installed height, measure from the spring seat to the bottom of the retainer. Right down your measurement and then measure the rest. The shortest height will be your installed height with that setup. If its at 1.750 or really close then just use the right shims to make all of the other springs the same.
I suggest the comp 4929 spring height mic. Comes in handy

Just my .02

Seth

 

I wasn't clear. You need to install the springs at the proper height for the springs. You don't change the installed height because you used offset retainers.

If the springs are to be installed at 1.70", shim them to 1.70". If 1.75" is what they're supposed to be installed at, shim them to 1.75".

(I probably didn't read the question properly - hence I responded improperly.)

 

Ok, I see what your saying now. The way it was worded had me confused. I know the installed height doesnt ever change cause thats your "constant" I was just saying by using that retainer you might add to the installed height hence you would have to use more shim to get it back into spec.

Viper
Let us know how it all works out.

Seth

 

alright cool i should be doing this in the next month or so.