FAD2BLK93

Ok, tax time is here. Gonna do the 503 cam that i am going to have ground up by a company here in Washington. So i know there are better choices, but this is what i am going with. So my question is, i am going with the Pac 1218 springs i will put in new seals...but can i reuse the shims locks and retainers for these springs? Dont want to pull the heads and i dont know alot about this subject! Can someone give me the rundown on how to set these springs up on the car in my garage? I am concerned about proper spring height... No idea how to acheive this one. Have tools, not specialty tools other than a Bluepoint spring compressor. I know this is probably difficult to do but Thanks alot.

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

You know the 503 is hugely popular and you could probably get a real one used for cheap, there is one on camaroz28 dot com right now.

Far as swapping springs which spring tool do you have exactly?

mcalus

iTrader: (14)

I got a set of springs, retainers and valve locks for $164 shipped from Howards. Also I'll be running a larger cam than you.

On a side note, not tring to hijack but what is the OD of stock springs?

speed_demon24

iTrader: (6)

I would stay away from pac springs but I might be a bit biased.

FAD2BLK93

Bluepoint VST100. I have never heard a bad thing about Pa springs. Caprice i am sure u would say if they were a bad choice right? Can u reuse the stock locks and retainers and put the springs on and go? Or do i need to be really concerned with spring height...this would cause coil bind if not setup corectly right? Would there be any other issues?

lt1-xjs

The Pac spring is the same as the Comp 26918 beehive. You cannot use the stock retainer but you can use the stock lock with the 787-16 retainer. However, using this setup with the stock seat will limit you to around .540 lift since the install ht is like 1.740". I think the lift of the 503 is .544" with 1.6's. I've ran this setup for years but only with the stock cam. Running the 648-16 lock puts it around 1.770" ht which should work for you. Another option is a 10* retainer and the plus .050" lock to give you more working height. You can use the Comp spring seat with this setup.

pillarpod

i have a set of Pac1218 springs for sell if you want

Wicked94Z

iTrader: (26)

no... comp uses associated for the 918 spring. pac 1218s will usually coilbind at 1.080, so even at 1.74 you can run .620" lift.

FAD2BLK93

Thanks guys for the help! 1 10 degree retainer 2 plus .050 lock 3 comp spring seat 4 valve seals and add lt4 full roller rockers Pac 1218 springs cop 503 and HELLO 12's. Anything i forgot? Pushrods the same?

ABA383

iTrader: (1)

FWIW I used the Comp 977 spring from Lingenfelter in my 383 with a .568" lift cam. The new owner is going into this 17th year on these valve springs. When I sold the car last year we checked each spring, chasing what turned out to be a header gasket leak, and they were still within 1% of their specs. I'd say that's a fairly durable double spring. LPE says they are safe to .610" Here's a link to them in case you are interested.

http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merc...gory_Code=C159

--Alan

lt1-xjs

Well then, I guess all he needs is the 787-16 retainer. Pac lists the bind at 1.140" but I'm sure you have measured to arrive at the actual 1.080"

Wicked94Z

iTrader: (26)

correct I've seen a few sets of 1218/1518s on a tester. my current springs list bind at 1.220 according to pac, one went 1.105 and not one of the set was above 1.120. Although it may not be a critical measurement on a CC503, it's only your benefit to run a beehive closer to bind for best spring life.

FAD2BLK93

So to make the swap i can use the stock locks...787-16 retainers and some new valve seals and the Pac 1218? Would the 1518 do me a longer life or perfom better? And what about stock spring seat?

Wicked94Z

iTrader: (26)

i'd really recommend machined 7 degree locks from comp, and their matching spring seats. 1218 or newer 1219 springs would be fine here. The nitrided springs really only offer benefit in a higher rpm, more aggressive lobe combination.

FAD2BLK93

Thanks for the help guys!!!

lt1-xjs

There's more. If using the 787-16 retainer, 648 lock and the 4705 seat I believe you have to run a NSA rocker, otherwise the tabs hit the retainer.

FAD2BLK93

O crap i hope not!!! I have used the lt4 rollers for years and i love them!!! How will i know after i get it all together if i have to change them? Any recomendations for new ones? I thought about looking into the 1.7 scorpions i think you told me about. I should have room for them with this setup on the 503 yes?

RyanEricW

tax time! engine time for me.