Moparts Tech ArchiveBig BlockBB Edelbrock Alum HeadsHeres some of the posts of Fast68plymouth: Author Topic: initial results for the Edelbrock heads these are flow numbers for the heads as they came out of the box. okay, i did say that it didnt look like Ebrock left us alot to play with on these heads and that 300ish might be the end of it. --------------------------------------------- so far i have to say i like these heads alot, and i'm sure Edelbrock will sell alot of them.
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Lash settings on BB w/ aluminum heads & Engle cams DusterDave I'm wondering what others set their valves to, and if you allow for aluminum head expansion. I set my valve lash to .018 on the intakes and .020 on the exhausts, which is on the low side of the recommended range. I'm running a Hughes HEV5663BS solid lifter cam and Edelbrock RPM aluminum heads. ========================================== direct_subjection I don't remember exactly, but I chose either .018 or .020 cold myself for my Hughes HEV5056BS. I little tighter than I would have if I had iron heads. ========================================== Herman My engine usually runs between 160 and 180, so I always set them tighter than specs. direct_subjection Hehe Herman - you're welcome to join us in the 21st century with a feeler gauge (unless such technology has not reached the Hague yet...). ========================================= Herman has to skimp on tools so he can afford that killer garage that he has. ====================================== I don't know how much the E-heads grow but I set my roller in my stroker with stage VI heads at .012 and .014 otherwise it sound like a hay bailer. It checks out to about .016-.018 and .018-.020 when hot. ========================================= mopardad Are you guys saying that you set your lash without heat in the motor?? We have always set lash & recheck with the motor heated up. ========================================= BigEdsGarage Dave, I run a Hughes solid in my 340, lash recommendation is also .018/.020. If I run it at that it sounds like its coming apart. I found .014/.016 to quiet it down and runs fine. ========================================== dave, i would do it this way. set the lash like we did before, cold. then with the engine warm recheck them to see what expansion changes have occured. i would avoid overtightening though just to "quiet it down". for that cam i would try to stay within the recommended guidelines. i never try to set lash on a hot engine if i can avoid it. besides, by the time you get done the temperature drop from when you start to when you finish will still have the settings messed up. ========================================= Dave, ========================================= Boy, I am sure glad to hear you that some of you guys have noisy valvetrain too! I thouhgt I was alone, or was just going to have to deal with it. =========================================== BB E-heads, Are 10 degree locks 71scamp Is it a necessity to pay for 10 degree locks and retainers and pay my local shop to install them? I wasn't expecting this expense til the shop told me I should do it today. It would be $75 for locks and retainers plus labor to install them. Has anyone had problems with the 7 degree locks? =================================== 451boy I don't see any reason to change the retainers if you're using the stock springs. If you put some mondo springs in there then sure, step up to the big stuff. ===================================== I bought the Isky #8005A valve springs to go with the MP 620-324 solid cam, 275 @ .050. This spring has 135 seat pressure and 395 open pressure. ===================================== 395 lbs. isn't that much pressure but you may be approaching the limit of the stock retainers. i'd be curious as to what some of the other guy's think. i've used the hughes 1107 springs with the stock retainers with good success but they're only about 350 lbs. at 1.2 spring height. no problems so far. no doubt the 10 degree retainers are stronger but it's hard for me to say if you really need them for your application. it seems borderline to me. ======================================== Man look at your car... Its only $70!! Dduster You drop one (1) valve at speed due to stem lock failure and you'll wish you spent the extra money. Cheap insurance. ===================================== I put the 10 degree stuff on mine, ( Unlawfl did as well),,, ==================================== fast68plymouth IMO, the machined 7deg locks they come with, along with the retainers are fine for pretty much any type of "normal" solid cam usage. ===================================== i think this is one that needs to be rehashed into some good info. i run 10* on my heads. the one engine i would say required them (300 seat/800 open) the other one got them cause i already had the titanium retainers. having said that i've heard and seem some stuff that argues against the 10* stuff. first is the somewhat apparent damage the 10* do to the stem. the 7* wedges tighter where the 10* seem to hook the groove a bit. i "think" there have been some pretty substantial improvements in the 7* stuff and AFAIK nascar engines are running the super 7*? to the best of my knowledge the only reason for the 10* is to stop lock pull through. when was the last time you heard of this happening? i'm not saying either one is better because i don't have enough experience/knowledge on all the different combos to say. i'm leaning towards the 7* being better (most applications) but can't say for sure. one advantage of the 10* is you don't need different retainers for different stem sizes, just different locks. if there is a weakness in the combo your working with i don't think it's that their 7* but more the quality of the retainers. i'm sure a quality 7* retainer/lock setup (crane,comp ect.) would be fine. i'd like to get some solid input on this subject and have it archived. we had a long discussion on the pros and cons before but it never got saved. ==================================== You guys almost had me talked into it til I read Fast68's post. ===================================== comon Dwayne with all the heads you crank out and stuff you've seen you must have more to say than that. ==================================== i'm glad someone else chimed in on this one. i don't have enough long term experience with the edelbrock retainers to make the call one way or the other. after all, they've been out what, a year and a half? ====================================== I am changing springs on mine and have 10dg retainers so I nead 10 dg locks for the new stem size while your at it dont forget if you are running lash caps to get the retaners with the recess for the lash caps ===================================== Mine will be set up with about 200 closed/500 open pressure, and I'm going to use 10 degree titanium retainers. ===================================== IMO, HARDENED (like the Comps) 7 degree locks are fine for most apps, although I've used 10 degrees and see no adverse effects either way. I have seen a few three groove locks 7 degree pull through. Valve weight spring load and how the motor is slung have the biggest bearing on how the valvetrain holds up. Give me two heads, one off a stick and one off an automatic with the same valvetrain and you can tell the stick car just by the way the valves come out. Wize ==================================== What Streetwise said about aftermarket heads is 100% right. My sons Daytona with Indy -1 dropped valves twice. Luckily it did not do any major damage either time. Heads came from Indy with 10 degree chrome moly retainers & locks. After the second time all the valves, locks & retainers were replaced. The retainers were replaced with titianum pieces. He has not had a problem since changing & the motor has seen over 7300 RPM on the bottle many times now. ===================================== JERICOGTX Mopardad, My INDY SR's also came with 10* locks and Chromoly retainers from INDY. I also dropped a valve on mine but was not as lucky as your son. I have replaced all the keepers, springs and upgraded to Titanium retainers ==================================== Author Topic: BB E-heads, Are 10 degree locks worth 80 some dollars? Is it a necessity to pay for 10 degree locks and retainers and pay my local shop to install them? I wasn't expecting this expense til the shop told me I should do it today. It would be $75 for locks and retainers plus labor to install them. Has anyone had problems with the 7 degree locks? =========================================== I don't see any reason to change the retainers if you're using the stock springs. If you put some mondo springs in there then sure, step up to the big stuff. ===================================== I bought the Isky #8005A valve springs to go with the MP 620-324 solid cam, 275 @ .050. This spring has 135 seat pressure and 395 open pressure. ====================================== 395 lbs. isn't that much pressure but you may be approaching the limit of the stock retainers. i'd be curious as to what some of the other guy's think. i've used the hughes 1107 springs with the stock retainers with good success but they're only about 350 lbs. at 1.2 spring height. no problems so far. no doubt the 10 degree retainers are stronger but it's hard for me to say if you really need them for your application. it seems borderline to me. ====================================== Man look at your car... Its only $70!! ====================================== You drop one (1) valve at speed due to stem lock failure and you'll wish you spent the extra money. Cheap insurance. ==================================== I put the 10 degree stuff on mine, ( Unlawfl did as well),,, ====================================== IMO, the machined 7deg locks they come with, along with the retainers are fine for pretty much any type of "normal" solid cam usage. ====================================== i think this is one that needs to be rehashed into some good info. i run 10* on my heads. the one engine i would say required them (300 seat/800 open) the other one got them cause i already had the titanium retainers. having said that i've heard and seem some stuff that argues against the 10* stuff. first is the somewhat apparent damage the 10* do to the stem. the 7* wedges tighter where the 10* seem to hook the groove a bit. i "think" there have been some pretty substantial improvements in the 7* stuff and AFAIK nascar engines are running the super 7*? to the best of my knowledge the only reason for the 10* is to stop lock pull through. when was the last time you heard of this happening? i'm not saying either one is better because i don't have enough experience/knowledge on all the different combos to say. i'm leaning towards the 7* being better (most applications) but can't say for sure. one advantage of the 10* is you don't need different retainers for different stem sizes, just different locks. if there is a weakness in the combo your working with i don't think it's that their 7* but more the quality of the retainers. i'm sure a quality 7* retainer/lock setup (crane,comp ect.) would be fine. i'd like to get some solid input on this subject and have it archived. we had a long discussion on the pros and cons before but it never got saved. ====================================== You guys almost had me talked into it til I read Fast68's post. ====================================== comon Dwayne with all the heads you crank out and stuff you've seen you must have more to say than that. ====================================== i'm glad someone else chimed in on this one. i don't have enough long term experience with the edelbrock retainers to make the call one way or the other. after all, they've been out what, a year and a half? ======================================= I am changing springs on mine and have 10dg retainers so I nead 10 dg locks for the new stem size while your at it dont forget if you are running lash caps to get the retaners with the recess for the lash caps ==================================== Mine will be set up with about 200 closed/500 open pressure, and I'm going to use 10 degree titanium retainers. ===================================== IMO, HARDENED (like the Comps) 7 degree locks are fine for most apps, although I've used 10 degrees and see no adverse effects either way. I have seen a few three groove locks 7 degree pull through. Valve weight spring load and how the motor is slung have the biggest bearing on how the valvetrain holds up. Give me two heads, one off a stick and one off an automatic with the same valvetrain and you can tell the stick car just by the way the valves come out. Wize ===================================== What Streetwise said about aftermarket heads is 100% right. My sons Daytona with Indy -1 dropped valves twice. Luckily it did not do any major damage either time. Heads came from Indy with 10 degree chrome moly retainers & locks. After the second time all the valves, locks & retainers were replaced. The retainers were replaced with titianum pieces. He has not had a problem since changing & the motor has seen over 7300 RPM on the bottle many times now. ======================================= Mopardad, My INDY SR's also came with 10* locks and Chromoly retainers from INDY. I also dropped a valve on mine but was not as lucky as your son. I have replaced all the keepers, springs and upgraded to Titanium retainers. =================================== jamesc anybody disagree with the opinion that with the exception of pull through the 10* is more likely to drop a valve than the 7*? ======================================= Fast68, Can you use those K-motion springs on some solid fast ramp speed cams like the 570 to 585 Ultradyne with 1.6 rockers or would they crush the lifter or something? Seems like the ten degree lock would be of use there too. ===================================== With that "medium" spring pressure I wouldn't hesitate to use 7º parts, have done it alot in the past and have seen no problems yet. The 7º parts definately wedge in there tighter, on a 800# plus spring I would hate to see how hard they come apart. The 10º stuff comes apart without much of a fight. ===================================== quote: some words of wisdom there...how bout the $12,000 engine that runs like the $6000 engine... ======================================= A person I know did drop a valve in his car with the 7* lock setup. He believes the valves had gone soft, too many high rpm top end charges and the float or bounce got to them. There were a few more candidates for failure after teardown. Anyway; he got to send his head back to Indy and have it repaired and a buy new piston/rod combo. He runs the 10* configuration with the titanium retainers now. ===================================== just to clarify, the ten or twelve sets of BB E heads ive seen have all had machined 7deg locks, not the cheap stamped ones. if i was setting up the heads for that cam, and the customer asked if he needed to upgrade the retainers/locks.....i'd say no. if they wanted to anyway i wouldnt have a problem with that either....its their money. the E heads going on my motor will be getting the "super 7" style retainers/locks, but i'll be using a roller cam. ===================================== We did have a discussion on this topic a few years back. The concensus back then was that there was a concern with 7 degree locks pulling through the retainer, hence the advent of the 10 degree stuff. With the improvement in materials (hopefully, no more aluminum retainers that would leave aluminum flakes in your oil) and choices available today, I guess 7 degree stuff suffices for most mild applications and super 7 or 10 degree for more specialized applications. ==================================== 71scamp Looks like alot of mixed opinions here, on one hand I greatly believe in Fast68's advice and on the other hand both Compuflow and Hensley racing told me today that the 7 degree locks are a recipe for disaster. ====================================== Almost forgot, Hensley also said they don't have any problems using the 8519PT-1 head gaskets with the e-heads and 12 to 1 comp. ===================================== I guess what Fast68 is saying is it depends on the situation and that he feels that with the 620Mp cam in combination with the Edlbrock retainers that the seven degree works fine. But it could be different with larger cams especially rollers and different spring pressures and retainers for those springs. In other words its combo specific. ===================================== Thats why I ask about the what springs and so forth would be good with 1.6 rockers on an Ultradyne 582 cam. Those cams have a very fast rate of lift like a roller and some people would just as soon go roller as it creates more pressure on the solid lifter with 1.6 rockers. The roller lifters could handle it. I already have a 570 in one engine and was wondering if a 582 could be handled. Thats why I wanted to know what he and Wize thought about it. All these things are combo specific and due to their experience they have seen more of these things than most of us. ====================================== No expert here but, my question is.. I'm sure they stand behind their work and would go on their recomendation unless it dosen't matter to THEM. Don't want an Just a thought. ====================================== When I originally put my Eddies on, I had a 312/590 solid in the car, and I simply added inner springs, and used all of the existing stuff that came with the heads.. ====================================== MoparBilly, since you're known for running the crap outta stuff LOL. What kinda inner spring did you use? Do you have a part number for them? ====================================== so are mp aluminum 7degree reatiners no good? ====================================== d-man, two things that don't go well together are "aluminum" and "retainer". get some steel or better one's but get rid of the aluminum. i think that's one of the things that gave the 7 degree stuff a bad rap. ===================================== " i think that's one of the things that gave the 7 degree stuff a bad rap." i wouldn't be scared of the 7's in your application. as for leaking the heads i wouldn't bother. just get a competent shop to bump the seats and valves (little backcut would be nice as well). imho i've never seen an "out of the box" valve job that shouldn't be bumped. ===================================== I too feel the retainers and locks that your Eddys came with will be fine for the springs you are using. But I agree with Dram they havent been out long to really test their durability but I have some trust in Eldebrock. There were only two things that I didnt like about them. One the protruded edge or collet? on the lock could of been taller, there was room in the valve groove for it. Its height is less than the stock locks on my 906,s. Two, the lock could have more fully encapsulated the perimiter of the valve stem. Mine have a full 1/16" gap. Even with that being said I still feel they are much stonger than stock and plenty strong enough for your springs. I second Henslys valve touch up check. Sport ===================================== Aluminum does stink for retainers. I have broken in an engine once with them and after I did and opened the covers to check the lash I got what looked like fine aluminum paint all over my hands. ==================================== originally posted by DRAM: ===================================== Does the spring base on the Edelbrock's have to be changed to go to double springs or are they just a lock on thing in most cases? ===================================== I can see now why the Edelbrock's are just a little wider than stock iron heads. Nothing to do with flow like the SR's. It just prevents the exhaust header bolts from going into water like on stock heads. You'll still have to use antiseize compound but not for the same reasons and you won't have to worry about water leaks there anymore. ======================================== rrsbdh it depends on the springs. i've used a couple of different brands and the installed height was different than the eddy's. rather than mess around buying different retainers or locks, i just cut the spring seats. ===================================== Valve springs and E heads Dodge1 The valve springs that came on my E heads might be a tad weak for my cam? Now I haven't suffered any valve float at 6K rpm but the specs don't seem to match the cam? Maybe? This is a fast rate cam made by Engles. Eddie states the springs are good to .600 lift. Now I am guessing that with the installed height seat pressure is probably around 120 lbs? ======================================= I have about the same cam as you do, but with 1.6 rockers. After cracking my iron heads I changed out the small inside spring onto the Edelbrocks. Car ran faster by just that one change, not sure if I was getting some valve float or what with Stock Edelbrock springs. I know alot of people say that they just bolt the heads on and go 10's, but im not sure how true that is. ==================================== i had the exact same concern as you have now when having my 496 built recently. It's getting dyno'd Jan 24-25th. I went with a Comp cams XE295HL hydraulic (.564/251@.050) I asked Comp and they said the Eddy springs are soft, then asked Edelbrock and they said should be o.k, and i asked my engine builder he said should be fine also, so we shimmed the eddy springs to bring up the pressure to around 135/325#. It's primarily a street motor that'll rarely see past 5600-5800, so i don't think valve float will be an issue in my case. But i will admit i'm not 100% confident about using the springs-- i've heard good and bad about them ===================================== A lot of folks at near 600 lift switch to the Isky 8005a springs and like em. I still have stock on mine though. ======================================== I have a sb. but my eddy springs were soft too, way soft. Under a 100lbs on the seat. I run hughes 1111 @ 1.800. It gives me about 130 on the seat, 325 or so open. They tested exactly as advertised. Cam duration is small @ 224/230. ======================================= K Motion K1100's here. ======================================== both 451jim and fast68plymouth have checked the esprings and IIRC found them to be stiffer than listed (by a fair margin i think) in the 130-140 area on the seat, don't know the open or rate. the specs were listed somewhere but i couldn't find them the last time i looked. i'm inclined to believe they are fine for your application. ======================================= 470Roadrunner I'm running Hughes 1107 dual springs on my eddies. Was a Scribner and a guy with a 499" Bblock had a .590 lift MP solid with stock E-head springs. Ran 11.50's 1st time out, nevt weekend went 12.20's and 12.40's buy the end of the night. He figured it was the springs going south. ======================================== Thanks for those replies. Maybe Fast68 DRAM or several others who have tested these on their bench will chime in? ======================================== Brian, the E-supplied springs should be fine for your hydraulic cam. I was running 130/330 rates on my hydraulic 3844 Hughes as well as on the 4550 solid. With the new heads and bigger cam, I'm using the PAC springs sold by Diamond. Theyre the same spring as the Comp925's but you take the center out. See Todd440 as he can get you a set if your thinking of changing.. ======================================= Gary ======================================= The last set of E heads that I took into the shop measured 140 lbs on the seat. Plenty stout. ===================================== Mine are getting the Isky 8005A's, 135 on the seat, 395 open, but it's for the MP 620-324 solid cam. You'll be fine with the stock e-head springs and your cam. ======================================== Comp 925's here. ======================================= Springs that come on the Ebrocks are good for up to .575" lift ========================================== The BB Edelbrock head springs often test much higher than spec. Check the link in my sig to the Edel Head Test and the background page. ====================================== Mp 066 springs on my .557 x 296 MP cam ==================================== Randy E, what are the specs on the comp 925's? ======================================= According to Comp, they are 142 seat, and 399 open. Hensley's selected them for me when I bought their Eddy head package. I am currently using a UD NF-series solid cam(570 lift), but told them I want enough spring in case I ever choose a cam closer to 600 lift. Randy E ====================================== Is any machining involved in installing the mentioned replacement springs. Comp Cams recommends 925's for my cam. I really don't want to machine my heads for duals if I can get around it. I'm not sure if the 925's fit as is . I'm sure I heard some duals do fit without machining ======================================= Thanks gents. I consider this matter closed for me ========================================= The only ones I know for sure that fit without machining is the Isky. We'll have to wait on our chumes to tell us about the K motions and comps. ======================================= With roller cams needing more preasure than previously thought, might not the same be true with flat tappet cams? My own experiance with flat tappets is limited, didn't have any trouble, but on the roller stuff i made a fair amount more power with a better spring. My concern is in using a fast rate of lift cam, then putting a 1.6 rocker on it and using steel retainers, then rev it high. That to me would tell the tale. It would be nice to see what happens if a car is dialed in with the stock eddy springs, then after establishing a baseline, switch to a stiffer spring and see what happens. Anybody done this? ======================================== The comp 925 spring fits like a glove with no machining. The Diamond springs are a PAC spring, dual, with the similar specs as the 925's. They also fit perfect. These would be stiff for hyd, but great for solids. ==================================== Any of you guys using MANLEYS ? I have a set that is suppose to be good up to about .750" of lift. I was also told the are to be used with a roller cam. ====================================== E-Head Guru's... What spark plug do you run? 66chargerguy I'm sure I've seen this question asked before, but I'd like to know what spark plugs are recommended for BB E-Heads... Ryan ==================================== If you mean Edelbrock Performer RPM Aluminum Heads, I use champion RC12YC. I hope that is what you meant. =================================== I use the same plug on my 340 Performer RPM Ebrocks. =================================== I use the recommended plug as previously stated....Champion..fits well =================================== Apollo 13 Any thoughts on the NGK plugs?? Good , bad , ugly ,what???? ================================== I run Autolite 3923 in my 11.8 CR engine with the BB Edelbrock heads. For less compression, the 3924 would be better (hotter plug). ==================================== Jim, What plug number would use for my setup? =================================== r2- I think you'll like the 3924's in your 496.I ran them in a 440 with 11.2:1. I thought that that compression was just about the borderline between the 3294's and 3923's. I've got a 493 with 12.6 now, so i'm trying to find a new plug that will work with that. The 3923's were a little hot.I'm trying a set of Accel 763's now.I also have a set of Champion C61yc i wont to try.I've heard good things about the NGK plugs just never tried them.-Tom. =================================== I've run both the Champs and no NGKs, both good. ==================================== Blown440 I use to run Champs, now run NGK XR5(v-groove) never had a problem. ==================================== Doug, my 470 in the coronet loves the 3923 autolite, and it's 10.6 to 1. =================================== I ran what Edelbrock recommended, and my plugs stayed clean and light tan, and that was with running a Dominator on the street. ==================================== I run autolites in all my mopars. I've always heard they are better for Mopars. Just me... ==================================== r2, start with the 3923 and if they are too cold go with the 3924. If you do a lot of street driving, the hotter 3924 might work better. In my strip only 11.8 CR 451, the 3923 are actually just a little hot for strip only (ie. I could use a little colder). So, the new 471 with 12.1 CR might like a step colder for race only. ====================================
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