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I'm rebuilding 799 heads, and while installing the intake and exhaust valves, I noticed that the valve springs have a vertical mark on them. Never really thinking about it before, just assumed there was only one way they could go in.
So my question...
Is there a specific direction that the mark should face?Should it possibly face the intake ports or should it face the exhaust ports?
Or even possibly the front of the motor as like the face of the pistons do?
(attached a pic of the mark im referring to)
I don't understand how the springs rotate, when there's so much force that the amount of pressure doesn't allow the valve spring to even move a 100th of a mm in either direction when the valve isn't even moving, little alone it's definately not budging when the valve is forced to open.
Constant movement from the springs would almost guarantee a torn or worn down valve seal, not to mention grooves that would be in the seals.
If there's no direction for them to face, then why the mark?
How exactly would the valve rotating wear the seals poorly? You do realize that the valve is moving up and down through the seal by nature of it's basic operation, right?
guarantee a torn or worn down valve seal, not to mention grooves that would be in the seals
Springs don't touch the seals, except for the ones that the seal includes a spring seat. No need to worry about that.
why the mark?
Go work in a factory sometime. Or even, just visit one. Plainly you never have been inside one. Doesn't even really matter what they're making; could be food, or paint, or electronics, or machinery, or toys, or ANYTHING; the processes, in many ways, are UNIVERSAL. There are ALL SORTS of things that are done at various stages of production just to show that some step or other has been performed, and that have NO MEANING WHATSOEVER once the product walks out the factory door. That's one of them.
I'm pretty sure 85% of the people on the forum have probably never worked in or stepped foot inside an automotive manufacturing plant, or any assembly plant for that matter, which is irrelevant to what I asked! I'm hella aware that valves (exhaust and intake), the push rods, piston rings, etc... all rotate when the motor is running, Duuuuhhhhhh! But the valve SPRINGS, that's what I'm asking about, the vertical marking on them. It's not there for no reason, the plant didn't go through and mark every individual spring one by one after assembly, if they did, why not mark every rod bearing cap that's torqued down, why not mark every main bearing after it's tightened to spec? There's a guy, WHO WORKS IN A PLANT, that has a youtube channel (i dont believe everything i see on the internet, or whatever B.S. that comes out of their mouths), but he stated that the paint mark should always face up, up I'm assuming means towards the intake. I asked in his comments section what plant he works in, and what the facts were to back up the statement, but of course no response. So, i figured ask the LS forum, since i had a dodge magnum i LS swapped 2 years ago and had pretty good results with the advice and suggestions i recieved at that time. Also, no, i havnt ever actually seen a slow motion video of the valvetrain in motion, but im defintely going to look one up. Your probably right, would be incredibly helpful.
And I think everyone is confused, the valve seal, looks similar to a top hat, the spring sits directly on top of the flat rim of it, so if the valve is going up and down, and ya'll are saying the spring rotates pretty much in a circle, then overtime wouldn't that wear a mark into the flat flange at the bottom of the valve seal where the spring sits on top of it!?
And I think everyone is confused, the valve seal, looks similar to a top hat, the spring sits directly on top of the flat rim of it, so if the valve is going up and down, and ya'll are saying the spring rotates pretty much in a circle, then overtime wouldn't that wear a mark into the flat flange at the bottom of the valve seal where the spring sits on top of it!?
If anyone is confused, it is only you. We all know what hat-type seals look like, and we all know the spring moves around on it. BUT NOBODY WORRIES ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT IS NOT AN ISSUE, PROBLEM, OR CONCERN.
BTW, the paint marks on the springs are only a way to ID the type of spring it is, nothing more.
Your last 2 posts scream NOOB. You bring up stuff we all know about and explain to you, yet you go on about how we should be more concerned about it.
Relax, just read the advice given here by longer-term members, many of whom are well-versed in the art of engine building.
Accept what is said as hard-learned truths from those relating them.
Valve Rotation is a MUST for longer seat life.
ALL here just talk "spring rotation " !
Lance, I think most here realize the importance of valve rotation, and I agree with you.
The emphasis of this thread, however, is the OP wondering about the effect of the valve spring rotating on the valve seal hat section, and the possible wear upon that seat.
We assured him it is quite normal and of no real concern.
BTW, the paint marks on the springs are only a way to ID the type of spring it is, nothing more.
This ^^^^^^^.
The paint mark also may be used to confirm that the spring passes spec check, but the color indicates the spring is of a specific rating and size and shape.
As others have said, the paint is only for ID. Different colors, stripes indicate design changes and or manufacturer locations. Nothing more.
Regarding spring rotation, that's is the nature of a coil spring. When the spring compresses, the diameter expands, once the valve starts closing, the spring tip acts like the ball of your feet and pushes off, causing a slight rotation. The more out of control the spring gets, you can increase the speed (not always though).
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Exhaust/Intake Valve Spring Direction 
