Valve springs

[BlackGTO]

What do you do for your engine when it sits for long periods of time like all winter, Some parts of the country you can just drive it once and awhile. My street car I start it till it gets warm enough for the fans to come on once a month. The drag car engine is not runnable so I rotate the crank 360 degree's then another 180 so the valves and springs sit different. Mainly so the same ones are not collapsed all the time. I,ve heard of taking the rocker arms off for the down time. These are solid roller's with about 250 lbs relaxed and 800 + full compressed but I think it would apply to all springs. Good luck to all in the upcoming race to register. Vince

[BlueCuda340]

I am lucky enough to drive it from time to time. If I had to shut it down all winter I would pull the rockers off because I know I wouldn't be good at keeping it rotated.

[TheSilverBuick]

Only reason I see for removing the rockers is to seal the cylinder from moisture and such. Aka, help out the cylinder walls. Rusty valves would be a separate issue.

[Beagle]

Only reason I see for removing the rockers is to seal the cylinder from moisture and such. Aka, help out the cylinder walls. Rusty valves would be a separate issue.

It sure would have helped with preventing this! I have this kind of junk in a port or two also.

[BlackGTO]

I also have heard of mice getting in through the open exhaust valve. I had a 454 in a frost protection fan for apples live one winter. Piss and metal equals rust and a frozen cylinder. Not an easy fix. Cover exhaust ports now.

[Firechickenman]

I've never even considered taking the rockers off to "relax" the springs. A spring being statically compressed or stretched isn't going to do any harm as long as it's within it's working range. This has been debated in the firearms world as to whether it hurts magazines to be left fully loaded for long periods of time or not. I also don't start any of my "toys" over the winter unless I'm going to drive it enough to get the oil hot enough to evaporate the condensation that ends up in the oil. Otherwise, I just let 'em sleep. Never though about critters getting in the cylinder though!

[BlueCuda340]

I always make sure that if I drive mine it gets driven long enough to get fully warmed up. I also check to see if the tires still have smoke in them and if the tach works in the needed RPM range.

[MR P-BODY]

I pull the rockers off every winter.... I have lost some spring
pressure when it sat for a long time... thats 320# on seat and
real close to 900# open

[quick 52]

I pull the rockers off every winter.... I have lost some spring
pressure when it sat for a long time... thats 320# on seat and
real close to 900# open

X2 but not all just the ones in cycle and i'm not at those pressures I;m around 280 seat 750 open

[CDMBill]

Hmmmm, you guys are running a lot of spring. I have 230 on the seat, 710 over the nose, .830 lift, 7700ish shift point. I would pull the rockers if it was going to sit for more than a month or two. No real science, just paranoia. We'll see where it is with the new cam at .903. I think the bigger question is the quality of the spring and how long they'll last with a given combination. I had my first spring failure last year as I tried to stretch them for two full years as I'd done in the past with smaller cams. Gauge said ok, but apparently they were done. Will run better spring this time.

[BlackGTO]

Who,s will you be going to Bill.? I'm using PAC now. Did you get shook up yesterday?

[R Munch]

X2 but not all just the ones in cycle and i'm not at those pressures I;m around 280 seat 750 open

you should use what I do! Springs from ball point pens never a problem!!!!

[MR P-BODY]

you should use what I do! Springs from ball point pens never a problem!!!!

I tried those springs... but they are a bit small to fit over
the valve stem.... plus I really had to stretch them out
to get my 2" installed height

[BBR]

215/580 here, .685/.685 solid roller, I never fart with backing the rockers off. Heck, my springs were used when I bought them. lol

[CDMBill]

Who,s will you be going to Bill.? I'm using PAC now. Did you get shook up yesterday?

Honestly, didn't feel it. I've been running Isky 9705 which is apparently identical to a Pac blue stripe. This motor we're stepping up a bit to the Isky Tool Room RAD treated springs. I don't have the number handy. The trick to longevity seems to be the .040-.060 distance from coil bind which helps control harmonics; that and staying away from the really crazy lobes. We've been sneaking up on these for some time staying with the Comp RX/HCX combination. The change this year compared to the last build is the .5" lobe lift with the 1.8:1 rockers vs.the .460" from 2011. We've been pretty fanatical about geometry and I believe the shaft rockers are also a big part of keeping the valve train stable. I'm sold now on the Isky EZRoll lifters (bushed) and I'm running the .904" Mopar/AMC size which has a bigger wheel. Sorry for the long answer but you know that the valve train thing is the major issue with the DW N/A cars. Are coming back with the black bird?

I saw you changed trannies. I think that's a good move as you were at the ragged edge of the OD trans power handling. Brian Rock has hit that issue too even with the lower first gear ratio and all the trick parts.