stang8689

I was installing comp 987 spring on my AFR heads and the new springs are too wide for the bottom spring cups. Do I need to get new ones? If so which ones do I need I was on Summit and saw comp has spring locaters not sure if thats what im talking bout. Its the cup that the bottom of the spring sits on. Thanks

mjr46

how old are the afr heads??? my 185's were the old style and when I upgraded to the 986 springs then later to 987's, I went through this issue back in 2002-03 and spoke with Ed Curtis many a time to try to get a spring to fit in the pocket without machine work and when it came down to it, the best route was have the spring cup cut/widened to accept the larger diameter locators and springs = worked great

stang8689

what exactly are the locaters are they the metal piece that the spring sits on?

mjr46

yes they are a hardened metal washer type deal that slides over the guide and centers it, on alumunim heads you need a hard seat under the spring for obvious reasons

stang8689

It looked like I could fit a larger locater in the spring cup with the spring in it I still have a little extra room. Is it possible to just get a bigger one and avoid machine work

mjr46

the only time you'd need to open up the pocket is if the locator/spring combo is wider than what the pocket will accept.

stang8689

what is the difference between a locator and spring cup

mjr46

edelbrock heads have sort up a cup = sides built on to the locator hence they name it a cup but IIRC BOTH SERVE THE SAME PURPOSE

stang8689

heres a pic of what im talking bout. I measured today the spring is 1 3/8" O.D the head cut out is 1 1/2" so its gonna be tight and thats if I can find what I need and there is no room for machine work as the outer valves walls are too thin. I really dont know what to get I couldnt find the right size on Summit ill try and call them tommororw

stang8689

it also has 2 shims under it would it be ok if the spring just sat on that