Thread: What is going on with my valve springs?

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I've got a set of 981 springs from comp cams. I installed them back in 2000 and I've put around 8000 miles on them. The guy setting up my heads called me earlier and said they only have around 60lbs seat pressure installed at 1.7 and the spec is 105. Is it normal for valve springs to lose that much pressure over time with that little use? Thanks guys

well how hard did you beat on it .the ex side will drop 10 lbs 45 lbs is abit could of been a bad batch of springs it happens

hasn't been beat on hard at all. He said they are all pretty equal so maybe they were packaged wrong? This engine has never performed well, maybe I just found the problem.

did you check them before putting them in when new ? check the O.D that may tell you some thing they make a 910 thats od is 1.345 and 85 @ 1.850 so at 1700 they would be very ligth or just a bad run it happens i have seen new spring s break and fail from crane .comp . and no name stuff

They were not checked when they were installed back in 2000. It was a drop 'em in and go kind of deal. I'll check the OD when I get them back to see if they sent me the wrong springs. I figure I'll find I've got the wrong springs...I was just wondering if they could possibly drop that much pressure over time sitting up. thanks for the help.

I've had springs drop bunches of pressure (got to admit they weren't top shelf stuff) just from setting long periods of time with the engine not ran and still loaded by the lifters.....

Well, the problem has been solved. The guy working my heads had his spring tester set to check the springs with the retainer by mistake. He figured it out and reset it to test just the spring and all is well. We all make simple mistakes I guess. He races outlaw pro modifieds and builds pro mod engines...he's pretty sharp but we all make mistakes.

Originally Posted by 35chevy

Well, the problem has been solved. The guy working my heads had his spring tester set to check the springs with the retainer by mistake. He figured it out and reset it to test just the spring and all is well. We all make simple mistakes I guess. He races outlaw pro modifieds and builds pro mod engines...he's pretty sharp but we all make mistakes.

yep i was thinking that but did not say it
i rebuilt heads that had over 100.000 on springs and they were not that far offif he as a rimac it is ez to move the face and throw the LBS off i know that one