Valve Springs

[Flatlander]

Originally posted by dbeardslee
Thanks all. Flat - those were the numbers I was lookin' for
I appreciate the help.

Sweet! Glad I was able to help!
Do me a favor........Double check my math. Third grade was a real bugger for me.

[dbeardslee]

Mikes XS has a set of performance valve springs for the 650. $135 x 2 = OUCH! (see, I can do some math ) Not sure if they'll fit. 650 uses a rocker arm, so...

I haven't checked them all yet, but so far they're within the service limit. For $270 I'll probably leave them in. Before I pulled the head I had it up to 9500 rpm's and it was running really strong. It would have gone farther into the red, but I looked down at the tach at that point and backed off. I've been looking for a seat cushion ever since

[Flatlander]

So............................High rpm's did yours in too.

[skids]

I would like to know why there is any difference whether you install the tighter coils up or down. From the standpoint of physics the outward forces are equal on both ends of the spring.

[dbeardslee]

Flat - I don't think the high rpms really hurt it. I took the head off 'cause I had a leak in the head gasket back by the cam chain tunnel. It was still sealing good around the cylinders. When I removed the gasket there was a groove in the gasket right where it was leaking. Wasn't really blown - just leaking. It's more of a case of, as long as I've got the head off I want to put it back together so I don't have to do it again for another 34k.

As far as the orientation of the springs is concerned, I think it's an issue of fitment with the keepers so they don't wiggle around. Unless I'm mistaken the i.d. of the springs are slightly smaller on one end in addition to the coils being closer together. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong - like that needed to be said

[prometheus578]

"Somebody call my name?"

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong

Having the tighter/heavier coils at the bottom reduces the reciprocating weight.
The way they're wound is so that they give a progressively harder compression rate.

[Flatlander]

Skids,
Well, that is a good question. Because it does not matter which direction you install it in a valve spring compression rate gauge.
But it does matter when you involve lots of rpm's. This leads to words like, resonance, surging, and frequency of the spring and its parts. If you ever forget and do not want to pull out the manual for this, just take a look at you car or truck. They're in the same way.

[Flatlander]

I do use the preview......alot.

Originally posted by Flatlander
Skids,
Well, that is a good question. Because it does not matter which direction you install it in a valve spring compression rate gauge.
But it does matter when you involve lots of rpm's. This leads to words like, resonance, surging, and frequency of the spring and its parts. If you ever forget and do not want to pull out the manual for this, just take a look at you car or truck. They're in the same way.

Came back and reread what I typed. I know what I'm trying to say, but, I can't get it come out of the ends of my fingers the same way.
By looking at your vehicle I'm talking about the springs on the suspension, behind the tire.
So if anybody reads this feel free to edit, delete, insert or what ever you feel to stop possible confusion. Sorry!
By doing this I just might become a guru after all !