Valve springs.

[Unkle Krusty]

While removing the valves from the LH head today, I noticed some springs were shorter than others.
With them all removed, 8 are 2 inches, and 8 are 1 13/16. I checked the new set ( fancy looking ) and they are all 2 inch. I think it was the intake that were shorter. I am assuming this was from the factory in 1977. Anyone else noticed this? 318 stock motor, never apart to my knowledge before I bought it, and no signs of ever being apart.

 

[dvw]

Does this engine have valve spring rotaters on the exhaust valves? They would be thicker. If not it’s time for springs.
Doug

 

[Unkle Krusty]

Nothing in the form of rotators found so far. But I will have another good look tomorrow. I have a new cam, lifters and springs to put in.

 

[pnora]

8 long and 8 short tells me there are rotaters on the exhaust valve. Very common. Do not mix them up. The intakes will take the longer springs and they will have a thin retainer. The exhaust will take the shorter springs and the retainers are thicker which allow the valve to rotate. Here is a Rock auto showing the difference. Exhaust on the left and intake on the right.

 

[pnora]

While removing the valves from the LH head today, I noticed some springs were shorter than others.
With them all removed, 8 are 2 inches, and 8 are 1 13/16. I checked the new set ( fancy looking ) and they are all 2 inch. I think it was the intake that were shorter. I am assuming this was from the factory in 1977. Anyone else noticed this? 318 stock motor, never apart to my knowledge before I bought it, and no signs of ever being apart.

Do not use those springs with the exhaust rotator. You will pop a face off the stem. You also should be seeing a difference on the keeper grooves.

 

[Unkle Krusty]

K. Will check the keepers tomorrow. They all looked the same when I took them off. But then I was not looking for any difference. Are exhaust rotators something they would use stock in 77?

 

[pnora]

K. Will check the keepers tomorrow. They all looked the same when I took them off. But then I was not looking for any difference. Are exhaust rotators something they would use stock in 77?

Yes they were used mostly in trucks and vans. Post some pics on what you have.

 

[Geoff 2]

Very often on high mileage & highly loaded the engines, the exh springs will be shorter, especially the two centre cyls because they get tremendous heat from the siamesed exh ports. Found this quite common on 383/440s.