fastlane02ss

I have PRC .650 springs right now on my car.Yesterday I had an issue which I guess points to a failed lock or the lock was never seated correctly because I pulled my valve cover and discovered I had a valve spring that tried to shoot off but got caught by the rocker arm.Can I run another retainer besides a PRC one and it work on those springs?Or is it possible to not have to buy an entire retainer kit?I only need one.I'll attach a pic of how it looks right now.

sreve

iTrader: (3)

Valve hit the piston?

fastlane02ss

As far as I know it didn't.I had just fired it up after the cam swap,got out of the car while it was running and was checking everything under the hood and about that time I heard something break so I ran around to shut it off,but it shut off before I got to it.I havn't messed with it yet,been raining all day today.Hopefully it did not hit the piston.That was actually the second start up after the cam swap,the first start up it ran for about 30 seconds and broke 11 of the rocker trunions,so I ordered the comp trunion upgrade kit and did that...and now this happens.

Darkman

iTrader: (2)

You broke tunnions on 11 different rockers? Sounds like PTV collision to me.

fastlane02ss

I didn't have any problems with the trunions after I upgraded to the comp ones though is what stumps me.If it broke those to I would think I had a serious problem,but you may be right.I just don't know what would have caused this issue I have now.

Darkman

iTrader: (2)

I would not refire the engine until I found out what is going on. There is something wrong with the setup.

fastlane02ss

Yea I'm not starting it anymore right now for sure.I have spoke to several people I know running the same setup I have and no one had any issues,called Texas Speed and told them my setup,they say that's what they run normally also.I'm just wondering if those locks on that spring were not seated or just failed for some reason,because it didn't happen to any other ones.

LS1MCSS

iTrader: (18)

Looks to me like the rocker broke first, then pushed down on the retainer letting the keepers come out.

fastlane02ss

I think your right.That never crossed my mind.

Darkman

iTrader: (2)

Is this a new cam install, or what? Need more details please.

fastlane02ss

Yep it's a brand new cam install.TSP ms4,ls7 lifters,7.400 pushrods,PRC springs,stall converter of course.

Darkman

iTrader: (2)

PTV with that cam is not supposed to be a problem with stock heads and head gaskets, but a change in either can trigger PTV issues. Do you know whether the heads are stock and untouched? Did you degree the cam or install it dot to dot?

BO4THSS

im no expert, but it seems to me that those springs are way too aggressive for those stock rockers if they broke 11 trunnions and on second startup it did that to that rocker arm. is this a high mileage engine? was everything stock prior to the cam install?

if you are lucky enough to not have ptv contact, check for damage on valve stem, retainer, and old locks. if everything checks out, definitely replace rockers with a stronger set. then try try again... i looked up the specs and there isnt anything too crazy about those springs, unfortunately i think darkman might be right, it really does sound like ptv contact. good luck man!

fastlane02ss

Yea I used GM replacement head gaskets,and the heads are totally stock.The car was bone stock when I bought it.I did not degree the cam,but did install it dot to dot when I put the new timing set in.

fastlane02ss

Everything was stock in the engine prior to this,only thing it had was headers and external bolt on's.Engine has 120,000 miles.

BO4THSS

seems everything checks out, first thing is to check ptv contact man...

Darkman

iTrader: (2)

Given that Texas Speed indicates that even a different head gasket can trigger the PTV issue, the margin for error is small. I would check the PTV clearance and would want to look at the top of the piston on the cylinder with the broken rocker either by pulling the head or using one of those mini-cams through the spark plug hole.

fastlane02ss

Ok well that will be my next step then,checking PTV.

fastlane02ss

Thanks for the help guys.

RonSSNova

iTrader: (3)

PTV issue would be intake or exh, not both. 11 of 16 is a clue.

When you get that rocker and spring off, get a photo of the guide and valve stem seal.

First busted stock rocker I've seen here. Maybe the retainer to guide clearance is all wrong. Or the spring went into complete coil bind for some reason.

Who put the heads together?

Ron