Well, well. It's been a long time..

I got into the middle of changing my head gaskets (had a small leak). I was on a very tight budget and I was only going to change the gaskets and check the heads and put everything back together. I've thought about it and figured it would be CRAZY for me to not have anything else done since I have everything apart.

So I'm putting the Stage 2+ Super Six valves, that I've had sitting here for about a year, to good use. I called Tom and told him that I needed some port work done, so I'm getting the Stage 3 port done because I plan on going forced M112 in the next 2 years. I started out having my heads locally machined and had them stop in the middle of it so I could send them to Tom. After they get back from Tom I'm going to take them back to the local shop get resurfaced and assembled. I've decided it would be waaay tooo expensive for me to put a new cam in. Trust me when I say that I REALLY, REALLY wanted one. I would want to go all out and I would have to replace the rockers and push rods, etc., but when that all adds up it's very expensive. Plus, I now have a bike payment to make with bike insurance. So I'm only changing things out that are a must with the new valves.

My questions are.. Would it be ok to reuse the stock valve springs and retainers with the new valves? Or should I get, at least, the 26915 springs and new retainers? If I had to get new springs would the be ok with the stock push rods? Are the 26918 springs ok to use on the stock push rods?

I would love to buy all new stuff, all out, but if I don't have to then I can have my car back together before it snows. I like riding my new bike, but it's getting cold here in Michigan haha.

Thanks guys.

-Kenny

 

I believe for the 26918 you have to do some machine work for them to fit, unless Tom already did that for you.

 

Yeah. I was wondering about that. I read about that on his site, but nothing more has been said about it.

Anyone else have some useful information?

 

Comp Cams retainers for the 3.8/4.2 with the 26918 springs require no machining. This is the set up that I'm running. The one thing you have to be careful about is the top of the retainer is real close to the tip of the valve stem, especially on the exhaust. The first set I got some of the retainers where actually above the top of some of the stems. If you go this route check be sure to check your rocker arm to retainer clearance through full valve travel and make sure the rocker arm is contacting the valve stem and not the retainer.
If you are going to keep the stock cam for now, different springs are going to put undue stress on the pushrods and lifters. The 26918 is way stiffer spring compared to stock. If the installed height is the same with the new valves as the old you should be able to use the old springs. When you change cams you will have to change the springs and do any machining required for the set up that you are using.

 

So the stock stuff should be alright to put back in then? Sounds like it.

Thanks so far.

 

Anyone else?