I bought 2 sets of retainers/locks (long story). One set was titainum with black locks. The other set was steel retainers with gold color 10-degree + .050" locks. So im assuming the black ones are "stock type" locks and the other ones raise the valve .050? Am i on the right track here? Now im taking both sets and making one kickass set. Obisely ill run the ti retainers but what locks should i use? Its a stock lt1. Cam later on this fall but for now im upgrading the valvetrain and milling the heads .030. Whats the actual diffferance between the 2 for future knowing.

 

You'll have to find out if the Ti retainers are 7 or 10 degree retainers. If they're 10 degree, then the locks I sent you should work. If they're 7 degree, then you have to use the black locks, more than likely. If you do, make sure you check the install height of the springs to make sure you're not getting to coil bind. The locks I have for my Ti retainers are black as well and they're the 7 degree version.

 

hummmm, ok. I got a install height for the springs. How the hell am i gonna figure out the 3deg. differance? Theres no PNs on them. They look/feel the same in the ti retainers. But that 3 deg. could be so small that it looks the same to the human eye. Hummmm, just when you think you have everything figured out... here comes another varible.

 

Ask whoever you bought them from.

 

i will. Good thing is i butt the 2 different ones toghter and they are identical. So im sure that the 3 deg. diff. would show there but ill still ask. Stupid cars!!

 

It's real noticable. The 10 degree locks are mugh thicker at the top. Also a 10 degree retainer installed with 7 degree locks will probably pull through. The std & + .050" difference is easy to see also, the +.050" has the rib .050" higher, where as the std rib is about in the middle. You will have to put the retainer and locks on each valve (no spring), pull them all the way up and measure the distance frm the spring seat to the bottom of the retainer. Do all 16 valves, as there is a good chance of variation in that value. You will probably need an assortment of shims also.

Good luck, Ed

 

Ok, thanks ed. There both 10 deg. locks. Now i know that for a fact that 1 is stock and 1 is + .050. What will determain what ones i use? Does that all depend on when i set up my install height?

 

Correct. Use which ever it takes to get the assembled height the springs call for. At what height are your springs supposed to be set up?

 

around 1.750-1.760. I was gonna have the machine shop next to me set them up and thats what they suggest. And what is the differance in color? The stockers are black and the .050 are goldish. Just a color for idenification? or actual meterial change? or just cause?

 

They will use whatever locks get them closer to the install height or below, then they can shim the rest. Good to know they'll both work with your Ti retainers.

 

If your are running the beehive spring, and the locator for the beehive at the bottom of the spring you will want to run the +.05 locks. You run these locks because the locator at the bottom of the spring is .05 thick. If you dont run the +.05 locks you lower the coil bind of the spring from ruffly .600 to .550.

When I checked the install height on my springs I ran a straight edge accross the tops of all the valves, and found 2-3 on each head to be slightly taller. On the valves that were taller I checked the install height and found them to be dead on with the correct installed height. The valves that were down slightly, had slightly less install hight. With the cam im planning to run I still will slide under the coil bind numbers, and the seat pressure should be no more than 2lb difference between springs. So, I went ahead and installed the springs with no shims. Not only did I not need them, but I actually needed the exact opposite being slightly more clearance. Go figure

 

Ok, yea i got the comp locators too. And i see what you mean about them being think!! That totally makes sence too. Everything is getting sorted out now. Thanks a million guys. Keep the tips commin!

 

That's pretty short, shouldn't need the +.050"s for that. Take them both, maybe the shop will buy the others.

Take care, Ed

 

Recommended install height for the 26918's are 1.800". You can go with a shorter install height for more pressure as long as you're leaving enough clearance from coil bind.