The photo show an intake valve ( left) and a exhaust valve (right) on my Vortec heads.
Both are stock valves.
The retainer to seal clearance is obviously better on the intake valve.
Is it possible to get locks that raises the the retainer a bit on my exhaust valves?
If so, who is selling them?
(I know this also mean shimming up the spring.)

 

Comp and others make 0.050" offset locks. Can also getto grind the bottom of the retainers like the Alex spring set if its your thing. Typically I use the Comp 787 retainers and LS springs. With the 787s and 0.050 offset locks, can usually go 0.550 safely. The LS springs spec a taller installed height.

 

These are Alex' parts.
Don't think it's safe to grind any more at the bottom of the retainer, as the bottom of the lock is flush with the retainer bottom.

Is there a way that I can find out if my locks already are +.50 offset type?

 

Comp and others make 0.050" offset locks. Can also getto grind the bottom of the retainers like the Alex spring set if its your thing. Typically I use the Comp 787 retainers and LS springs. With the 787s and 0.050 offset locks, can usually go 0.550 safely. The LS springs spec a taller installed height. From memory a stock Vortec installed height is usually around 1.72". The LS springs spec 1.80. With a 0.030" shim under the spring, 787 retainer and 0.050 offset locks I was about 1.75 installed. Gives another ~10 lbs at the seat vs the 1.80.

 

You would not want to grind them more in that case. I assumed stock retainer. Could not tell based off the pic they were not the stock ones.

 

Here's a photo of a stock Vortec lock (left) and the Alex' lock (right)
Shouldn't it be possible to see the difference if the the one to the right is a +.50 offset?

 

Yes. The offset will be obvious.
The keeper that increases the clearance (+.050") will have the ridge towards the bottom of the taper. Conversely, the keepers that are -.050" will have the ridge closer to the top.
The keepers in the picture are one and the same. Zero offset.

 

These are +.050".

 

An update on this.
Communicated with Alex last night.
+.050 will be too much offset in these situations.
Alex' offer a set for the exhaust valves with only +.025 offset.
A bit pricey, 32 USD, but just what I need to get sufficient clearance, so I ordered it.