Chuck’s engine build thread!

[ChuckN]

Called and had a great conversation with Howards Cams. It was unique because they don’t sell anything directly from their phone number so he gave me an honest answer. After much deliberation with whether I would need a small base circle cam, he recommended one since the potential was high. I was able to find one already ground and in stock, so I won’t have to go through all the BS of calling Comp and ordering one. Those guys are jerks anyway on the phone.

Edit- the reason their lifters are well regarded are because they’re manufactured by Morel.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[xm20k]

Called and had a great conversation with Howards Cams. It was unique because they don’t sell anything directly from their phone number so he gave me an honest answer. After much deliberation with whether I would need a small base circle cam, he recommended one since the potential was high. I was able to find one already ground and in stock, so I won’t have to go through all the BS of calling Comp and ordering one. Those guys are jerks anyway on the phone.

Edit- the reason their lifters are well regarded are because they’re manufactured by Morel.

You must be registered for see images attach

They are great to deal with was the only one of the big names that answered their phone. I have since bought 2 sets of retro link bar hydraulic rollers off of them.

 

[ChuckN]

They are great to deal with was the only one of the big names that answered their phone. I have since bought 2 sets of retro link bar hydraulic rollers off of them.

They have good attention to detail. I asked him what valve springs are matched, and he told me that it depends on valve spring height. So I bought a measuring tool and I’ll call them again with the measurement. Probably have to buy some shims to dial it in exactly.

Cam is supposed to arrive today.

 

[ChuckN]

You must be registered for see images attach

Cam showed up this week. Awaiting the valve springs so I can check installed height.

The valve springs that came with the heads (1.25”) didn’t have any locators, just steel shims. I’m not a big fan, but maybe that’s fine. I’m going to try to find some locators that fit the new springs if I can find a set that keeps the installed height within spec. What a can of worms, lol.

 

[Radiohead]

What a can of worms, lol.

Lol, you've discovered where the devil lives. In the details.

 

[ChuckN]

Lol, you've discovered where the devil lives. In the details.

It does give me something to nerd out about though. When the block comes back- if it ever gets done- that’s when the slow, tedious process begins.

 

[ChuckN]

Got the valve spring blues. You might notice that one thing here is not like the other. Howards retainer vs the existing comp cams retainer on the right.

You must be registered for see images attach

What a pain in the ass. Valve springs got delayed, but did show up today….with all of the locks free floating around in the box. Miraculously, none were lost. No matter. Packaging from Summit must’ve been done by someone just clocking out.

I realize that there’s a ton of different setups but these retainers will make it impossible to get the correct installed height. It’s .220 off what it should be, at least. So that means I have to make another call to Howards tomorrow and figure out what retainers I need. This kind of ridiculous sometimes, all this fiddly stuff that wastes time.

 

[ChuckN]

Well, Howards was no help. The prior/original retainers fit fine and are very helpful in bringing the spring down to where it’s supposed to be. They gave me their blessing to use them since they have no other answer and they are within spec since the spring ID is the same.

I just got off the phone with Summit and ordered some .050- locks to get it where it should be. But time will tell, try and try again.

 

[ChuckN]

Spent a good part of the morning on the phone with Howards and then, Summit. Howards gave me their blessing to use the existing retainers, so that’s likely what I’ll do. I took the head with same springs installed with the the different locks and retainers to the machine shop, he said there’s wild industry variances and no standards for this stuff so it’s no surprise. This was totally unworkable. The one on the left is the Howards retainer, the original Comp on the right.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[TotalyHucked]

Woah, that's a huge difference. Enough that that's gonna effect closed spring pressure. Definitely prefer the look of the Howards, but that may just be because that's the heights of what I'm used to dealing with (LS stuff sits just like that).

 

[ChuckN]

Woah, that's a huge difference. Enough that that's gonna effect closed spring pressure. Definitely prefer the look of the Howards, but that may just be because that's the heights of what I'm used to dealing with (LS stuff sits just like that).

Yeah, the Howards is the actual problem- it’s too tall so I won’t have enough spring pressure. I have some more stuff arriving today so we’ll see if after talking to them I’m on the right path.

 

[TotalyHucked]

Ohhhhhhhh I see

 

[xm20k]

Both my Flotek flat tappet heads and my Edelbrock roller race heads look like this and there is 2k in price difference between the two pairs. Typical for SBC I can't recall seeing any that didn't stick up that high. Looks like the Howards is trying to compensate for spring pressure buy raising the top of the spring vs cutting the seats deeper. Might cause an issue with some rockers contacting the retainer depending on their design.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[ChuckN]

Both my Flotek flat tappet heads and my Edelbrock roller race heads look like this and there is 2k in price difference between the two pairs. Typical for SBC I can't recall seeing any that didn't stick up that high. Looks like the Howards is trying to compensate for spring pressure buy raising the top of the spring vs cutting the seats deeper. Might cause an issue with some rockers contacting the retainer depending on their design.

You must be registered for see images attach

That may be the case, and I understand what you’re saying. I can’t remember if I mentioned, but Howards wants the installed height at 1.75-1.76”. On the left, that’s above 1.95”, yet Howards says they’ve never heard of that. But the difference in the retainer styles tells the story, and the one on the right (Comp Cams on the same spring) is much more in range. Pretty close, but I ordered some -.050 locks to bring it back and I may have to play with it a little.

In the end, Howards gave me the go ahead to use the other style retainer. Let’s see how close I can get- it’ll be a game of locks and shims going forward.

 

[ChuckN]

Slow going here, just waiting on parts. Some delays due to bad weather in the south I’m told.

I broke down the valve springs on both heads the last couple days. The valve springs from Brodix had no spring locators under them, just shims. In trying to have the most stability I can have, I ordered spring locators for the bottom. They only come in .060 for the spring size I have.

I’m aiming for 1.75” installed height- with the 10 degree locks and the new retainers, I’m running from 1.744-1.73 per my height gauge. The 1.73s are all exhaust valves, and the 1.74+ are all intake valves. The valve lengths all check out even, so Brodix must cut the exhaust seats a little shallower. There is one exhaust valve that checks out at just under 1.73” but it’s within the margin of error so I’m not sure if I’m going to worry about that. I’m going to talk to the machine shop and get his input. Everything else is within the .020 wiggle room that is generally accepted by all accounts.

Just have to get everything here for final checks today or tomorrow and then check for coil bind. If I can get that done, the heads will be sorted and the last thing to do with them will be to install 7/16 studs. Not mandatory, I just want a valvetrain that I don’t have to worry about AT ALL.

The Morel lifters should be here tomorrow too, so I can add them onto the pile or waiting parts.