This is all for a 350 motor. I picked up a set of vortec heads (906) that have been checked and resurfaced for $150. I plan on matching them to a Comp Cams XE268H-10 camshaft using an Edelbrock Peformer RPM intake, an Edelbrock 750 carb, 3.73 gears, and a 700R4. I know with that cam I will have lift issues with the heads. So after some research it looks as if I can use the Comp Cams 981-16springs (which are the recommended ones for the cam) with the 742-16 retainers, and 601-16 locks on the vortec heads with no machining required. I can get those springs/retainers/locks from Atlantic Speed for $108 shipped which sounds great. Any problems or things I'm missing?

 

Those springs will not work; the damper won't fit over the guide. They'll be OK if you can get the damper out.

Then, assuming you get that worked out, you're right on the hairy edge of smashing the retainers into the guides. Some of those heads will be OK, some won't. It'll be more likely to work if the valves have been ground, since that gives a couple extra .001"s. Best to check carefully BEFORE starting the motor. Use some "check" springs like from the hardware store, and MEASURE how far the valve travels before anything hits anything else; and make sure there's at least .050" more clearance to anything than the lift of that cam (.480", more or less). Note also, that if you use stock rubber rockers, they'll bend enough to waste MANY .001"s of lift, and give you some extra "free" clearance, at the expense of .... wasting MANY .001"s of lift. If you use good rockers, you have to be a bit more rigorous.

So yeah...

 

I bought a set of these for my motor build
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VORTE...ht_3280wt_1165

 

You've got a couple of digits wrong. What you saw was 26981-16, which are beehive springs. Use 787-16 retainers (need 7 degree keepers). Good for .525" lift.

 

How have the Alex's Parts spring kits been working out for people? I've been kicking around the idea of those myself.

I would love to get the 26981-16 (beehive springs), but they are damn pricey after getting the retainers and locks too. The 981-16 springs are the ones recommended by comp cams for the camshaft.

 

I would like to use the comp cams 981-16 springs since they are the ones recommended for the cam. Would the "ghetto grind" be suitable for my application here?

 

If you insist on using the 981 springs, get the guides cut properly. It not only reduces the height of the guides for more lift, it also prepares the guides for positive stem seal installation. Any competent machine shop should be able to do this for you for about the cost of the springs & retainers.

The 26981's would work fine. Call Comp if you need to set your mind at ease. 26981 springs & retainers wouldn't cost any more than machining the guides and buying 981 springs and retainers.

 

you read my mind. I was doing the math for buying springs, retainers, locks seals and getting guides cut and will probably just go with the beehives.

 

Not always. With those retainers, I didnt have enough seal clearence to go .525" with my heads. Well technically it would have worked but with only .022" clearence. Not enough for me to be happy.

I agree. Have the heads cut properly.