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.

 

[Unkle Krusty]

So far. 8 two inch springs, 8 shorter springs. The end caps for the short springs are longer. With the caps they are all the same length. The head end is all the same. Comp. Cams has a number to call, but I was on hold for too long. Will try again. I suspect I need the thinner caps, and will use all 2 inch springs. I will also ask them about rotating lifters. I read the instructions at lunch today.
I need to add. I have a new cam, lifters, springs and carb. Gaskets too. Pieces are everywhere. Cam gear and chain.
Don’t forget the electric fan on the couch.

Stopped by Georges today. Mark is working on an Austin Healey. What a piece of junk.

For Ozzy Geoff. Watched a video of beer belly Ozzy, assembling a 318. He had all new bits for everything. Hoping to get 400hp for his dads Ute.

 

[pnora]

So far. 8 two inch springs, 8 shorter springs. The end caps for the short springs are longer. With the caps they are all the same length. The head end is all the same. Comp. Cams has a number to call, but I was on hold for too long. Will try again. I suspect I need the thinner caps, and will use all 2 inch springs. I will also ask them about rotating lifters. I read the instructions at lunch today.
I need to add. I have a new cam, lifters, springs and carb. Gaskets too. Pieces are everywhere. Cam gear and chain.
Don’t forget the electric fan on the couch.

Stopped by Georges today. Mark is working on an Austin Healey. What a piece of junk.

For Ozzy Geoff. Watched a video of beer belly Ozzy, assembling a 318. He had all new bits for everything. Hoping to get 400hp for his dads Ute.

The thicker retainers are rotators. So yes you will need new retainers to use those new springs. I would get all 16 new retainers and locks.

 

[Unkle Krusty]

I sent Edelbrock an email. Told them I am not good at sitting on hold. Asked if there was another way of getting tech help. So far learning more from you guys. Fortunately my engine is in good condition. Tomorrow I will mess with the valve seats.
This is the first time I have had a 318 apart, hence the questions. But I am learning lots.
The pic at left, shows my Kawasaki and myself at the Arctic Ocean. The bike got there on the back of my camper van. The van with the 318. We went to Yellowstone in 024. New Mexico this year. After I get it back together.

By locks, do you mean the two small keepers. Retainers.?

 

[pnora]

I sent Edelbrock an email. Told them I am not good at sitting on hold. Asked if there was another way of getting tech help. So far learning more from you guys. Fortunately my engine is in good condition. Tomorrow I will mess with the valve seats.
This is the first time I have had a 318 apart, hence the questions. But I am learning lots.
The pic at left, shows my Kawasaki and myself at the Arctic Ocean. The bike got there on the back of my camper van. The van with the 318. We went to Yellowstone in 024. New Mexico this year. After I get it back together.

By locks, do you mean the two small keepers. Retainers.?

No. Retainers go on top of the spring and the locks/keepers are what holds the valve to the retainer. You want to be sure the retainers are mated to the locks/keepers as there are different degrees of fitment and they have to be correct. Example a 7 degree lock/keeper needs a 7 degree retainer.