anyone with actual recent knowledge on 452 heads please help

[adk-roadrunner]

Hey guys I'm looking for some guys have actually had some 452 heads apart and know the answer to this question. What keepers do they use I was told 2 groove intake and 4 groove exhaust. I am curious as I have my 452 heads being redone at machine shop and I dropped them off with the keepers, retainers and springs that came with my comp cams kit. I was later told my the machinist that he had to order new keepers as they sent the wrong ones as both intake and exhaust are 2 groove. My problem he didn't tell me till after he got new ones and I would have rather had comp replace with proper ones so I'm not paying for 2 sets of keepers. Thanks guys

 

[RustyRatRod]

They used 2 and 4 groove stock. If there's somethin different there, The valves and keepers have been replaced at some point.

 

[Meep-Meep]

I have seen the 2 and 4 groove an a lot of late 60's and 70's vintage Chrysler heads. The multi-groove are designed as rotators for the valves and I have seen where the keeper grooves were worn to the point of needing valve replacement. The edges of the grooves get razor sharp. And I wouldn't run those with a heavier performance style spring. Even the two groove may be marginal for long term use with more than a stock spring. If you can swing single groove that's what I would do but that would of course require you spend more money.

 

[adk-roadrunner]

These heads were off a very low mileage 78 or 79 motor home 440 can't remember which year right now. My main concern is why he's saying both intake and exhaust are 2 groove. either he only looked at the intake side or someone swapped valves in a motor home which to me seems less likely. Or he trying to run up the bill which I hope is not the case and wouldn't make sense since I'd obviously would want my other keepers back. Its just strange.

- - - Updated - - -

Rusty is it possible that both intake and exhaust could both be 2 groove stock ?

 

[RustyRatRod]

I guess it's possible......but I've never seen it. Course I ain't seed everything by a mile so take it for what it's worth. lol

 

[adk-roadrunner]

It makes me feel like the guy is trying to fleece me now. I paid extra to have the valve seats done but if he hasn't even taken them apart to see that there four groove valve keepers than how the hell does he know that the seats are bad.

 

[IQ52]

I have, in my hand at the moment, a stock 2 groove Chrysler exhaust valve. Be gentle with the machinist.

 

[adk-roadrunner]

I haven't said anything to him as of yet I wasn't going to rush to any conclusions. Was the stock 2 groove you have from a 452 head ?

 

[Kernel Sanders]

I posted pix of the intake and exhaust valves, springs, retainers and keepers from a set of stock 452 heads I have in your Previous post " http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?51705-1-thing-after-another-LOL " regarding this.

Perhaps as you mentioned, your 452 heads came from a motor home they may have come with different exhaust valves with rotators (as SB 360's did in the 70's) I can also take pix when I get home tonight of the valves, rotators and keepers from a 360 if that would help.

 

[bigaadams]

I have a similar head question and have been in the Mopar Performance engine book for a bit this morning..unfortunately this area of the valve stems is not discussed at all, very little is said of restoring an engine to stock use, this book is mainly for performance minded builders.. The only reference I see is to a set of chrome moly retainers that are stronger and suited to a budget minded performer..

 

[69Bee]

Most applications used the 4-groove exhaust, but there are instances where a 2-groove ex valve was used. I am looking in my SBI catalog at a 73-79 Chry 440, and they list two exhaust valves;

1) 1.74" 4-groove valve, except premium engine & motorhome
2) 1.74" 2-groove valve, Inconel, premium engine & motorhome

My Elgin catalog also lists a 2-groove exhaust valve for the premium engine. It seems the heavier duty application will have the 2-groove valve. Replacement valves can come either way if desired.

 

[adk-roadrunner]

yup they were 2 groove got heads today with old parts 2 2 groove keepers for every valve. View attachment 113584 already posted this on the related thread but didnt want to leave anyone who helped me on this thread hanging. thanks guys

 

[RustyRatRod]

I suspect it doesn't matter which head casting it is. More than likely, like everything else, they just assembled what was in front of them. I bet if your 452s had those, there's some of each casting that did too. Interestin.