I have bought aa pair of e7 heads off of ebay and it has the roller valve springs on it, i am told i need flat tappet springs. I have been emailing the guy back and forth and he is willing to put new flat tappet springs inplace of the roller springs. My only concern is that i have a set of heads in the garage from the race car maverick and it looks like they have new springs on them, this motor also had a cam the same as mine. Do you think when they put the cam in they swapped the springs too? My question to you guys is do you think i should take the new stock springs or ask him to transfer the race car maverick springs over to the new set of heads. The springs on the maverick heads look real new (30 years old though) with a purple stipe on a couple springs. What should i do!:16suspect
You "might" be able to use the springs you have in the garage. I would call the cam manufacturer, and they are pretty good at recommending which springs to use, and should be able to tell you if the ones in your garage are ok on the e7 heads. Springs are cheap, so don't try to skimp on them, if you don't have to. Comp sells full sets for $40.
Just call edelbrock or whoever made the cam. Here are edelbrock springs for less than $30 a set. You just need to tell them what heads you are running and which cam. They will tell you which springs. http://www.jegs.com/p/Edelbrock/Edelbrock-Performer-Valve-Springs/749174/10002/-1
a good cylinder head machine shop can measure the springs to find out what there pressures are. thats about the only way that you can figure out what they are.
Not sure if posted before,,, did you buy your cam? Always good to buy the "cam kit" Not sure who this guy your buying head from, would you post ebay listing? Are the heads redone an is he a business? You could have old springs checked,,, junk yard engine is all I would run them old springs on! Just my thoughts,,,
yes i bought my cam, specs are in my sig. I believe he does run his own business, he has done a 3 angle valve job and they have been milled. I will ask him if he can check them.
anyone with a fair scale can check, all should be check to see if the same,,, still too many years old and if it sat in engine set up,,, aint worth paying to have checked
The purple stripe springs are factory ford springs. When new their specs are as followes: Spring minimum load 60# Open load 190 to 210# Closed load171# Free length 1.85" Stacked solid (compressed height) 1.16" Get new ones for your cam.These wont support your cams lift. The roller springs will wipe a lobe off the cam, nor will they support your cams lift figures.
I'm with Mavman. Too many variables (spring height and closed and open pressures) and they should all be matched to both the cam and heads. Also you might want to consider new retainers and keepers. That's always good insurance.
If the springs are too light for the lift rate of the cam you will experience valve float and possibly hurt your engine. If the springs are too heavy for the lift rate of the cam you might cause excess wear on the cam and lifters causing engine damage. Get the springs made for the cam by the same manufacturer.
Dont mess around with valve springs. Get exactly what is called for from the cam manufacturer. Money well spent. I dont trust used springs.