need HELP with valve springs
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 142
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From: Dallas, TX
need HELP with valve springs Ok, so i bought patriot dual golds. the normal size and they are too small. Thinking the .565 id springs would work, I swapped. Well they wont. so, im stuck now, two weeks down without my car b/c i cant find a valve spring to fit these valves.
The valve stem measures .340 inch diameter.
Attached is a pic of the old spring, does anyone know what it is???
Does anyone know what valve springs might work?
The valve stem measures .340 inch diameter.
Attached is a pic of the old spring, does anyone know what it is???
Does anyone know what valve springs might work?
What exactly doesn't fit?
What heads?
Are the valves stock?
What is the valve seal?
The valve diameter looks to be 11/32", which is a small block valve rather then an LS1 size (8mm or 0.315")
What heads?
Are the valves stock?
What is the valve seal?
The valve diameter looks to be 11/32", which is a small block valve rather then an LS1 size (8mm or 0.315")
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 142
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From: Dallas, TX
the keepers around the valve. the super 7s that come with the golds do not fit around the valve stem by any means. the 10 degree keepers will. but, that mean i have to use the old retainers but they, the part that fits in the valve spring does not fit the the golds. they are 803 heads and i dont think the valves are stock.
i bought this engine used, from some one a year and a half ago. i knew there was head work, but did not know the extent.
i bought this engine used, from some one a year and a half ago. i knew there was head work, but did not know the extent.
you need Patriot Performance Part Number: 8401
You have the 8401-B.
the inner sping should be a small coil spring like the outer.
https://www.patriot-performance.com/...&cat=51&page=1
You have the 8401-B.
the inner sping should be a small coil spring like the outer.
https://www.patriot-performance.com/...&cat=51&page=1
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you need Patriot Performance Part Number: 8401
You have the 8401-B.
the inner sping should be a small coil spring like the outer.
https://www.patriot-performance.com/...&cat=51&page=1
You have the 8401-B.
the inner sping should be a small coil spring like the outer.
https://www.patriot-performance.com/...&cat=51&page=1
Is the 0.340" measurement the valve stem itself or the hole in the retainer?
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12 Second Club
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 142
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From: Dallas, TX
i tried the 8401 (normal .505 ID) and they were too small for the valve stem. Me thinking that id just get the .565 ID spring would fit, but they use the same locks and retainer. they wont fit these valve stems.
the .340 is the stem itself.
the .340 is the stem itself.
These valves sound like they are the issue. That diameter is too big to be a standard LS1 valve. Can you contact the original owner and find out if they fitted new guides in the heads? You may need to get a set of SBC springs that will fit in the spring pockets if you can find them.
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 142
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From: Dallas, TX
These valves sound like they are the issue. That diameter is too big to be a standard LS1 valve. Can you contact the original owner and find out if they fitted new guides in the heads? You may need to get a set of SBC springs that will fit in the spring pockets if you can find them.
i think i have come to the conclusion im calling Elliot again tomorrow and see if he can help me out. if all else fails, i have my 241 heads sitting in my garage. i can just get those ported and new valves put in.
but this means i either have to pull the heads and see what sided valves are in there, or pull the cam and find out the specs to match the heads and to see if the pistons have been fly cut.
Your problem is easy to see but will take some work on your part to fix . Your heads have 11/32" (.341) valves which is standard SBC size . LSX engines come with 8mm (.313) valves . This was a common swap over 10 years ago before the LSX market exploded with parts .You can not use the Patriot kit unless you get Super 7 locks for 11/32" valves , contact Patriot to ensure fitment . Normally you can switch valve stem sizes within a spring kit whether you have Super 7 or 10 degree setups just by changing the locks . You could also sell the Patriot kit and get a different spring setup since you may need it if you're going to turn some rpms . The Patriot spring works well with the lighter 8mm valves but if you have a larger diameter 11/32" you can run into a very unstable valvetrain . Another option would be to convert back to 8mm which would be more expensive . I'm looking into converting over to 6mm but there aren't many parts available for that size . Oh Yeah , the different bases are related to the OD of the valve guide .
Last edited by v8pwr; Aug 30, 2009 at 12:32 PM. Reason: Forgot Something
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Dallas, TX
yep... got that. little late. haha. but thanks.
what had happen was, basically what v8pwr said. back in the 806 days when LSX valves were not around, they used small block valves. I learned this from Thunder Racing, who, Im waiting on a call back to see what they have that will work with theses heads.
Next on the chopping block are theses heads, these springs i have, and a set of old 241 heads. Ill just get some heads that i want
what had happen was, basically what v8pwr said. back in the 806 days when LSX valves were not around, they used small block valves. I learned this from Thunder Racing, who, Im waiting on a call back to see what they have that will work with theses heads.
Next on the chopping block are theses heads, these springs i have, and a set of old 241 heads. Ill just get some heads that i want
