robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

Hey guys, I'm in the need of replacing my valve seals due to some lovely smoke on start up. So I figured I'd replace the valve springs since I'll have it apart anywho. So what would you guys recommend? The most umph I'd pull out of this motor would be some 1.6 roller tip rockers with the stock cam.

Schurkey

WHICH "stock cam"? Which heads? What is max RPM?

Wild Guess: If this is a stock TBI camshaft, there's no need at all to replace the springs unless they're somehow damaged. The engine won't make power high enough in the RPM range to warrant stiffer springs.

From the GM description of #12513151 - 5.7l (L05) 1991-1993 Chevy Caprice service-replacement engine

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

Stock cam with 1.6 rockers. The engine has 146k on it so I just figured since I'll have the old springs off I might as well replace them. Engine itself wont see more then 5k rpms ever

RBob

iTrader: (1)

IIRC, Comp 980's are basically a stock replacement (980-16).

Number of Springs Per Valve: Single
Outside Diameter of Outer Spring (in): 1.230 in.
Coil Bind Height (in): 1.150 in.
Damper Spring Included: Yes
Spring Rate (lbs/in): 308 lbs./in.
Inside Diameter of Outer Spring (in): 0.876 in.

They are 92# at 1.70" install height.

For a little more pressure can use the 981's.

RBob.

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

Would either of those work with the stock hardware?

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Maybe I'm all wet here, but the stock springs should use rotators, and big stupid oil shields, etc. If you remove that stuff, the next thing you'll notice is the intake and exhaust valve spring seats are different depths to compensate for those damn rotators. So then you get into shimming the deeper pocket, or offset locks to change the installed height on the shorter pockets... Add a healthy dosage of retainer to valve guide clearance, and valve stem/retainer to rocker clearance... and THAT is why I've avoided the 'while I'm in there' valve spring change.

I'm not saying it's impossible to do without machine work, but it's a bit of a delicate dance. And if you screw up, you'll waste the new seals, or the rockers, retainers, springs, blah blah lots of potential to cause metal flakes and binding. The best part is when you take the advice of someone with the same year car, and use the same parts they say dropped right in, and when you try to install them on your car, they don't fit, don't clear, don't measure to specifications.