I am seeing that 1.670 is the stock 455 installed height. Currently I'm sitting at 1.840" - perhaps the previous builder swapped in some custom parts? It had Crower retainers and locks, maybe they are the type that raises the spring height. Or do I have the 1.670 spec wrong? The valves are stock and pockets appear uncut. These are 1970 model E heads btw

 

You might have +.100 valves, as well a different retainer setup.

 

Maybe? Intakes are 4.685" overall length
Retainers read Crower 48

 

1.670" is "blueprint" height for factory Olds valve springs. What valve springs do you have ?

 

Stock springs, why? The installed height is the measurement from the pocket to the bottom of the retainer, not the measurement of the spring. I guess my concern is why I need a .170" shim to get to stock spec.

 

I guess my concern is why I need a .170" shim to get to stock spec.

Because the valve rotators have been removed?

 

Maybe. He never told us what castings he has.

 

Post #1, 1970 E heads, so should not have had rotators, right?

 

PaulWinn, I don't have any "E" castings to verify but I believe they had valve rotators from the factory. Use the search feature for "rotators" on here and you will find plenty of discussion on this subject. If you post a picture of your heads detailing the valve spring pocket we can be sure.

 

 

E heads came both ways, with or without rotators. The OP has the rotator ones. rotator heads had deeper spring pockets

you’ll need rotators to get back to the shorter installed height, or a big shim pack if you want to use non rotator style retainers. or minus .050 keepers etc. there are ways to get it done. A much taller spring will work but it’s not ideal as you’ll have a hard time getting close to cool bind with moderate lift

 

Paul, you are confusing valve spring installed height and valve spring pocket height. 1.670" is in fact the proper height for stock Olds valve springs.
1.840-1.860" are the valve spring height, sometimes referred to as "Valve Spring pocket" height.

Shims will reduce the valve spring pocket to the spring height required. From the numbers on the head shown, you'll be shimming different amounts in several pockets. from .170" in some pockets to .190" in other pockets.

And YES, 1970 "E" heads came with "Valve rotators". Your valve spring pocket depths reflect that "valve rotators" were installed on the head from the factory. You should be able to buy longer after market valve springs that will compensate for the valve retainers to replace the "Valve rotators".

 

no, you should stop giving any advice here.

the stuff you post is brutal..just stop

 

Get lost Bozo !

 

better be careful, you’ll get a message from the admins.

really, you should stop giving any tech advice on here. you don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. Iike here with the E heads. they came both ways. you didn’t even know that basic fact. You telling the op he’s mixed up with terminology..🙄. that’s beautiful

who’s the bozo? 😂😂😂😂

 

Valve spring pocket height? Thats a new one to me🤷‍♂️

 

That is a stock length valve. You need to start off by getting a set of stock retainers and then do your measuring. If you want to use the Crower retainers then just find a spring that will work at the installed height that you have. I am assuming that you are using a stock camshaft ??

 

I think I see what the previous builder did. He removed the rotators and swapped in a set of taller springs and retainers. These set up fine at #125 seat pressure at my increased installed height. I am running a mild Engle cam and I'm at a good open pressure at full lift and nowhere near coil bind. Yes I need to do some shim balancing but this setup looks like it will work ok

 

How far away is “nowhere near”?
That’s not necessarily a good thing. If you're too far away it makes the spring unstable.

 

I have .090 safety margin, .060 to .100 is desired

 

you’re good