Ok here we go, I'm sure I'm going to get plenty of opinions on this matter, but I'm really interested in hearing solutions.
403 with 4A heads, Lunati roller setup with .549 lift.
Here's my dilemma: valve springs. Lunati sent the springs for this cam, dual spring setup. They are calling for a 1.700 installed height and currently I've got about 1.880 from pocket to retainer. What are some of you doing in this case? It seems that by eliminating the valve rotators, in running into a situation where most spring locators don't fit in the pockets and the ones that do are nowhere near tall enough. Anyone out there in Oldsland navigated this before?

 

First of all what retainers are you using ? A lot of the aftermarket ones are .100" taller installed hgt. .180" is quite a bit to make up. They make locks that will give you .060 less installed hgt and then you could put a .060 spring seat under it but that still leaves you another .060 to make up. So another shim under the spring locator ? Personally I would get a spring that sets up at the height you have.

Seems like I go through this at least once a week. Thats why I tell people to measure stuff before they order springs. I have also accumulated about 30 different part number retainers to have for trial assembly. That helps a lot.

 

What Bill said. In addition what is the rest of the valvetrain you’re using, roller tip, full roller, stud size?

 

Harland sharp, full rollers, 7/16 studs

 

Which retainers are you using ?

 

The i.700" spring is for the earlier heads without valve rotators. Oldsmobile deepened the valve spring pocket when they introduced valve rotators, so when you remove the rotator and use a non rotator valve retainer you end up with the need for a longer valve spring or a big shim under the valve spring. I would favor the longer valve spring.

 

Currently I have the set that Lunati sent with their valve springs. Do you know if a set is available somewhere that lowers the head of the retainer?

 

I should have mentioned in my earlier post, Oldsmobile had a kit to remove the rotators. It consisted of new retainers and a very thick shim to place under the valve spring so that the racers were able to use the factory 1.680" installed height valve spring to pass tech. You should be able to use three 0.060" valve spring shims to arrive at your 1.700".