So how do I check retainer to guide clearance?

I was going to grab some checking springs on summit (I dont like the idea of full spring pressure on my flat tappets without any oil pressure, they've got enough going against them as it is) which I was thinking should help me see the retainer and the guide, but if I do this, how much clearance do I need? What is acceptable?

I did some searches, but everyone just said to check it. I never found anything more detailed than that.

 

Use a dial indicator to find the travel of the spring until the retainer hits.

 

I assume you are talking about your vortec heads with the single grove valves... otherwise it changes a bit

i set up a dial indicator with a magnetic base and install 1 valve without the spring just retainer and locks then allow the valve to drop until it hits the guide... zero the indicator on the valve stem so as to retain as much travel as possible then just push the valve back into its seat...]

doing it like this will give a bit of a safety margin as when the spring is installed it will actually seat the retainer onto the locks and add about .005-.010 of clearance ontop of the .030 i would allow for any cam that isnt to radical