How long would you leave valve springs compressed?
#2428658
01/04/18 01:27 AM
01/04/18 01:27 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,179 California
mickm
OP
master
|
OP
master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,179
California
|
I have an engine that is rebuilt and ready to go, but have no idea whatsoever when I'm going to fire it up.
I've left the intake off, as I want to lube the cam right before firing it, but with Iskey rev-lube, I don't need to do that, as that stuff doesn't run off the cam over time.
But if I adjust the valves now, and put on the intake, and it's a year before I fire it, then some of the springs will be compressed for a year.
Will it hurt it to have the springs compressed that long, or should I just hold off and wait?
|
|
|
Re: How long would you leave valve springs compressed?
[Re: mickm]
#2428663
01/04/18 01:46 AM
01/04/18 01:46 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,228 Bend,OR USA
Cab_Burge
I Win
|
I Win
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,228
Bend,OR USA
|
More info needed, which brand spring and how much pressure? You can always leave the lash loose on all of them until ready to start and run it I have friends who are bracket racers with solid flat tappet camshafts that loosen up all their rockers every winter and reset the lash when they get ready to race again I haven't ever done that on any of my motors, solid lifter , hydraulic lifter or roller lifters, race or street motors I do have a old 1000 lb. Rimac valve spring tester so I can remove several springs and test them to see how much pressure they have lost compared to when I assembled that motor to see if they need reshimming or replacing If the motors stops pulling as hard as it had in the past in the upper RPM range it is time to check the pressure on all of the valve springs My message is good springs should, with proper lubrication and setting them up properly, should last a long time or a real long time depending on the application and RPM limits
Last edited by Cab_Burge; 01/04/18 01:48 AM.
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
|
|
|
Re: How long would you leave valve springs compressed?
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#2428666
01/04/18 01:51 AM
01/04/18 01:51 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,179 California
mickm
OP
master
|
OP
master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,179
California
|
This is a hydraulic cam, .582, 241@.050, so not radical. The springs I don't know, I assume standard springs that come on the mopar hemi aluminum heads. Nothing radical.
So if I just apply a little oil, then they are lubed.
So you are saying you wouldn't worry about leaving them loaded for a longer period of time?
My idea is that after setting the lash, the cam will have turned a number of times, and it would be nice to re-lube it. But obviously I can't do that if the intake is on.
Last edited by mickm; 01/04/18 01:52 AM.
|
|
|
Re: How long would you leave valve springs compressed?
[Re: mickm]
#2428717
01/04/18 03:40 AM
01/04/18 03:40 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457 Washington
madscientist
master
|
master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457
Washington
|
What difference does it makes? As soon as you put the retainers on the spring is loaded?
Heat is what kills a spring.
Just because you think it won't make it true. Horsepower is KING. To dispute this is stupid. C. Alston
|
|
|
Re: How long would you leave valve springs compressed?
[Re: mickm]
#2428841
01/04/18 01:02 PM
01/04/18 01:02 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,209 New York
polyspheric
master
|
master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,209
New York
|
The only thing that lets me stop thinking about it: take out the pushrods.
Boffin Emeritus
|
|
|
Re: How long would you leave valve springs compressed?
[Re: A727Tflite]
#2428917
01/04/18 03:25 PM
01/04/18 03:25 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,179 California
mickm
OP
master
|
OP
master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,179
California
|
Listen to poly - everything else is just opinions without data it seems. Not sure how you could go wrong with leaving the pushrods out.
Hey guys, not sure of the relevance here. My goal is to have the cam lubed, and button the engine up. But if I leave the springs uncompressed, then I have to spin the cam a few times to set the lash on all the valves essentially wiping some of the lube off the cam. If I leave the engine open, I can just re lube after setting the valves, but that means leaving it open. So I guess it's really, would you: a) leave it open with valves unadjusted b) button it up with valves unadjusted c) button it up and adjust valves.
|
|
|
Re: How long would you leave valve springs compressed?
[Re: mickm]
#2428956
01/04/18 04:34 PM
01/04/18 04:34 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457 Washington
madscientist
master
|
master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457
Washington
|
Listen to poly - everything else is just opinions without data it seems. Not sure how you could go wrong with leaving the pushrods out.
Hey guys, not sure of the relevance here. My goal is to have the cam lubed, and button the engine up. But if I leave the springs uncompressed, then I have to spin the cam a few times to set the lash on all the valves essentially wiping some of the lube off the cam. If I leave the engine open, I can just re lube after setting the valves, but that means leaving it open. So I guess it's really, would you: a) leave it open with valves unadjusted b) button it up with valves unadjusted c) button it up and adjust valves. I don't get it. How much and and long do you think the cam lube that is slathered all over the cam is going to be on there as soon as you hit the starter? The same amount as would be if you turn the engine over by hand. The black coating on the cam and the finish on the bottom of the lifters is what retains enough lube to keep the cam from being dry on start up. Once it's running the cam is lubed from oil thrown off the rods. Cams don't go flat from it having enough cam lube on them, because it doesn't take much. They go flat because the engine didn't start and it gets cranked to death before starting. They go flat because the lifter doesn't rotate. They go flat because you can get lifters that aren't machined correctly. I don't install a set of flat lifters until I verify all of them have the correct crown.
Just because you think it won't make it true. Horsepower is KING. To dispute this is stupid. C. Alston
|
|
|
Re: How long would you leave valve springs compressed?
[Re: mickm]
#2428965
01/04/18 04:50 PM
01/04/18 04:50 PM
|
crabman173
Unregistered
|
crabman173
Unregistered
|
I walk past my dragster at least a couple times a week and turn engine over--does it help? Nah...but it lets me sleep better
|
|
|
Re: How long would you leave valve springs compressed?
[Re: mickm]
#2429164
01/04/18 08:42 PM
01/04/18 08:42 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,209 New York
polyspheric
master
|
master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,209
New York
|
but it lets me sleep better!!!
Boffin Emeritus
|
|
|
|
|