valve spring measurements

I have a R 10, 850 head that I'm rebuilding....My actual valve spring measurements, reads between outers 1.54- 1.6 The inners 1.42-1.47

I have conflicting measurements in my manuals... one states outer 1.7 inner 1.531 the other states outer 1.618 inner 1.482

my question is are my springs within specs to re use..... Also there was a insulating washer under the exhaust side only... should there be washers under both exhaust & intake...... finally getting back to this project... will be posting progress soon.....

The meaning of life is to live it................... Tripower

Valve spring length will give you only an approx. reading. The only proper way to be sure your springs are still within specs is to measure their pressure at rest (mounted in the head, aim for 80 - 100 ft.lb) and at full cam lift (aim for 180 - 200 ft.lb.) Too much pressure can distroy your cam and followers, too little pressure can cause floating valves at high revs. I have used springs from various manufacturers and their pressure can differ a lot. SHIM YOUR HEAD : This is what I use: http://www.autozone.com/test-scan-and-s ... 14634_0_0/

nortonspeed said:

Valve spring length will give you only an approx. reading. The only proper way to be sure your springs are still within specs is to measure their pressure at rest (mounted in the head, aim for 80 - 100 ft.lb) and at full cam lift (aim for 180 - 200 ft.lb.) Too much pressure can distroy your cam and followers, too little pressure can cause floating valves at high revs. I have used springs from various manufacturers and their pressure can differ a lot. SHIM YOUR HEAD : This is what I use: http://www.autozone.com/test-scan-and-s ... 14634_0_0/

Click to expand...

Try to get on with a lower scale....so you can read it more accurately at less than 200lb. plenty on ebay (in US).....

...but the cost of a good guage will get close to a new set of springs......and in truth, for most applications, a new set of standard springs will sort it.....if you don't plan to rev above 6500 and have a standard cam it will be fine...

SteveA said:

Try to get on with a lower scale....so you can read it more accurately at less than 200lb. plenty on ebay (in US)

Click to expand...

+1 my valve spring tester scale runs from 0 - 300 ft.lb (I just referred to the type of tester that is most suitable and affordable)