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Old 05-17-2011, 10:30 AM
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Default Valve Spring Retainers

I'm looking for some offset retainers for beehive springs. Manley has them in titanium, but that's about it. I haven't seen any steel retainers + .050. But get this...I just read on another forum where they were using 11/32 retainers with LS1/6 8mm valves! Anyone here ever heard of such a thing??
Old 05-17-2011, 11:07 AM
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What spring are you running?
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Old 05-17-2011, 11:09 AM
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Comp 918's Cam has .604/.614 lift
Old 05-17-2011, 01:20 PM
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Why are you wanting an offset retainer? Comp doesn't have one for this application, but they do have their standard 774-16 retainer set that would do the trick. That is of course if you have the 918's that are actually good for .625" lift, not just .600". When did you buy the springs, and do you have the spec sheet that comes with them that says coil bind?
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Old 05-17-2011, 04:36 PM
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These are the latest and greatest 918's. (bought them direct from Comp recently) They are good to .625 and coil bind is 1.100. The problem is, they are spec'd at 1.800 installed height. I have yet to see a 243 head that had that measurement with a locator or top hat seal. They all come in around 1.750 with a top hat and 1.765 or so with the older locator. (these are rough numbers) So I machine, or I find offset retainers. Offset retainers are the best answer.

These springs will run where they are, but coil bind is very close. I can go to the old style locators and seals and pick up an additional .010 to .015 in installed height. That would make me feel better, but I would still like to set them closer to 1.800 if I can.
Old 05-17-2011, 09:00 PM
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I've used offset keepers with the original retainers to gain installed height, have a set in my turboBuick right now... Or maybe they don't make them for LS valvestems?
Old 05-18-2011, 09:16 AM
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Originally Posted by S10xGN
I've used offset keepers with the original retainers to gain installed height, have a set in my turboBuick right now... Or maybe they don't make them for LS valvestems?
I would LOVE a set of offset keepers! I can't find any for 8mm valves. If you know of any, please let us know.
Old 05-18-2011, 08:29 PM
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Well, sounds like an excellent opportunity for some of the vendors! If all else fails you could "sink" the valves or buy longer stems. BTW, I do recall a post here several months back about using some old-school smallblock valve parts...
Old 10-22-2011, 07:38 PM
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Originally Posted by OldCobraGuy
I'm looking for some offset retainers for beehive springs. Manley has them in titanium, but that's about it. I haven't seen any steel retainers + .050. But get this...I just read on another forum where they were using 11/32 retainers with LS1/6 8mm valves! Anyone here ever heard of such a thing??
which Manley ti retainers were you looking to run with the 918's? Was it the 23633-16?
Old 10-24-2011, 10:34 AM
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PAC offers a +.050",+.075" and -.050" lock for the LS7* retainers.
Old 10-24-2011, 12:16 PM
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hey TurboBuick6, I see you are PAC tech support, any chance you might know if Manley ti retainers part#23633-16 would be compatible with PAC1518s?
Old 10-24-2011, 02:45 PM
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Originally Posted by ShredSled
hey TurboBuick6, I see you are PAC tech support, any chance you might know if Manley ti retainers part#23633-16 would be compatible with PAC1518s?
Honestly I do not know. If you have a Mic shoot me the O.D. and the I.D. locating part of the retainer and I could let you know.
Old 10-24-2011, 05:01 PM
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Originally Posted by TurboBuick6
Honestly I do not know. If you have a Mic shoot me the O.D. and the I.D. locating part of the retainer and I could let you know.
here are the springs I'm referring to.
http://sdparts.com/details/manley-pe...ts/man23633-16


I could try to get some other measurements when I get home too, but they may be a little skewed when measuring through the shrink packaging because I'd prefer not to open them if they won't work!

Let me know what you think, thanks.
Old 10-25-2011, 11:28 AM
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You said these for a 918? Looks like you have double spring retainers here. I would highly suggest not using them. If you want to use stock retainers just get a set of locks that adjust the retainer. That would be your cheapest route. Our 500 series Ti is +0.50" but you will pay more than what those manleys cost you.
Old 10-25-2011, 11:14 PM
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Originally Posted by TurboBuick6
You said these for a 918? Looks like you have double spring retainers here. I would highly suggest not using them. If you want to use stock retainers just get a set of locks that adjust the retainer. That would be your cheapest route. Our 500 series Ti is +0.50" but you will pay more than what those manleys cost you.
ahhh, that's what I was fearing... frickin ebay got me with the vague explanation, but I guess that's what I get for impulse buying without research first!

Well, I believe the install height with my stock retainers on my 317 LQ9 heads is around 1.75, but aren't the 1518 supposed to be at 1.80??

Just for reference, which PAC ti retainers would you recommend? I see you habe two grades of ti on your website, but the part numbers have no explanation... not to mention the LS engine section is empty...?
Where are you guys located actually? I see on my spring ox the address is on Telegraph. I'm up in Ortonville. You have a retail store there?
Old 10-26-2011, 09:29 AM
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Yep...those retainers are for this spring:

http://sdparts.com/details/scoggin-d...-center/sd1423
Old 10-26-2011, 10:17 AM
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The 1.800" is more of a reference number not a recomemded installed height. It gives people an idea of the spring loads. The 400 series is a Ti-64 blend and the 500 series is a Ti-17 blend. Both are great products. For a steer application I would recomend the 400 series if you want Ti, the 300 series chrome moly would be fine too and cost effective. If you need some more help feel free to give us a call. Our number is on the box.
Old 10-26-2011, 12:05 PM
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Originally Posted by OldCobraGuy
Yep...those retainers are for this spring:

http://sdparts.com/details/scoggin-d...-center/sd1423
ah yeah, I see that is a single spring, but apparantly not a beehive...

Originally Posted by TurboBuick6
The 1.800" is more of a reference number not a recomemded installed height. It gives people an idea of the spring loads. The 400 series is a Ti-64 blend and the 500 series is a Ti-17 blend. Both are great products. For a steer application I would recomend the 400 series if you want Ti, the 300 series chrome moly would be fine too and cost effective. If you need some more help feel free to give us a call. Our number is on the box.

Ok thanks for the help!



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