Rocketbrian

Does anyone bother with rotators when rebuilding? According to the CSM, a 71 G head is suppose to have rotators on the intake valves and retainers on the exhaust, this engine rebuilt 30 odd years ago has the opposite. Would there be a logical reason for changing the application or more likely a mistake?

joe_padavano

Rotators were an attempt to reduce valve wear on high performance engines with the introduction of low-lead fuel in the early 1970s. Most people leave them off now, especially if you have installed hardened seats (yes, I realize that G heads and newer all have induction hardened seats...). Just be aware that the spring pockets in the heads are cut deeper when rotators were used. If you don't use them, you need to shim the valve springs to maintain the proper installed spring pressure.

Rocketbrian

Thanks Joe, I was thinking most don't use them in a rebuild. When the springs come apart, it will be easier to see how they compensated for the deep/shallow pockets as they switched positions between intake and exhaust when installing the rotators/retainers. . Odd thing to do. Are dampers always used on the exhaust valve springs?

oldsonharmont

I actually had this same question when I recently had my '71 455 rebuilt. Does anyone even know if valve Rotators are still available?

Rocketbrian

Since we have the same engine, what type of rebuild did you do? Stock or alot of performance upgrades? Do you have details of the pistons, cam etc. you used? Stock valve train?