How many people actually set up their valve springs correctly in the head ?

[jmeyers09]

How many people get a set of aftermarket valve springs and install them in the head without setting the installed hight or getting ever springs seat pressure within spec? My last head I had built about 6 years ago I ran the supertec dual springs and had my machine shop set up the springs in the head for me based on the manufactures specs. I currently have a set of the kiggly beehive street springs that I want to install but my machine shop is backed up a few weeks. Would i be alright to install them in the head without setting them up ?

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

There's no problem in doing it yourself as long as you do the job right.
If you mess up you can cause valve float or freeze valve.
But as long as you do it to manufacture's specs like you told them to do then you will be fine.

 

[jmeyers09]

How many people do you think just throw the springs in without setting anything and get them close. I could check at max lift to make sure I dont have coil bind but these heads arent the easiest to set up springs not really a good way to measure everything without buying some special tools

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

I have mine set as per the manufacturer specs also. Installed height is important to me and checking that coil bind won't be an issue.
But I would go out on a limb and say that if you use the components recommended or included with the springs, that it will be close, still look for coil bind on the first intake and exhaust spring for good measure.

 

[jmeyers09]

I'v read all the posts I can find on measuring and setting up the springs, boostedbeaver and bogussvo have some good info. Looks like I will need to buy some special tools, a valve stem tip installed hight tool and a diffrent depth gauage to measure my dial. Now it comes down to should I spend the money and buy the tools or just let my machine shop set it up. Being it isnt everyday we change springs in a head the tools wouldnt get used much.

 

[stillrunning]

For the DIY'r you can always shim the springs to get proper installed height but most won't have a means to sink the valves to go the opposite way.
Like if you go with a larger diameter valve without cutting or installing a proper seat your valves will probably be offset into the combustion chamber further, running the springs tighter/compressed.
To check the height all you need is a valve spring mic if you're curious of your spring installed height.
You can shim springs easily to tighten them up if needed, such as if a head that has been worked multiple times and the seats ground allot the valves would be sunk and you could shim the springs to get the installed height back to spec.

 

[jmeyers09]

Everyone says the valve spring mics are hard to use and read in 4g heads especially in the corner of the head . If the springs are to tight I've got the seats cut in the past on other engines I'm sure it could be done on these