I don't know how old mine are at this point. Not new. they have a few spring scuffs etc. How do you judge the condition of these things? And what is the favored material now? Titanium or tool steel?

Usually until they show a spring path track. About 4 seasons maybe 800 to 1000 passes. I run about 280 seat pressure 750 open.

These have probably been around the block longer than that.
What is the material of choice today?

even on top alchol motors never had one go bad,but then they only turn 9500 to 11000 rpm. LOL

Plus with very little material removed they can be used in smaller springs like the ones on both of my Harley's.

In all the years, i have never worried about retainers. It is the locks that get changed and a closer inspection of the lock fillet on the valve.

Ya after looking up titanium life cycle time I stand corrected. I will probably never by another set.I agree lock condition and valve are very important.Change locks with springs.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: vetman,

They get changed???

Mark?Note my signature

quote:

Originally posted by vetman:
Mark?Note my signature

Chill dude, I was kidding.....mine are still good, 400+ on the seat and 1200 open...fourth set of springs.....hardly a mark on them

One of the most overlooked item are the valve locks. Valve surge/loads have an adverse effect on the locks.Ever see the tiny shiny wear area on a lock?.New springs new locks every time. Whether it's 1 spring or 16. It's always been one of those so called. "Out of site, Out of mind. Until the valve decides to leave the area.Learned a long time ago. The hard way.

quote:

....hardly a mark on them

Interesting, I bought a set of used Merlin III heads and the Ti retainers were so gouged out by the ribbon between the inner & outer springs there was no doubt I wouldn't reuse them. Maybe it suffered from spring surge/harmonics???

Maybe wrong spring for cam lobe or valve floated a lot. Bill Jenkins called those dampers little saws! Sorry Mark reflex reaction.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: vetman,

quote:

Originally posted by Canted Valve:

quote:

....hardly a mark on them

Interesting, I bought a set of used Merlin III heads and the Ti retainers were so gouged out by the ribbon between the inner & outer springs there was no doubt I wouldn't reuse them. Maybe it suffered from spring surge/harmonics???

You aren't supposed to use a Titanium retainers with a spring having a flat wound damper, for that very reason.
I've heard you can disassembly the spring, deburr, smooth, reshape and polish the end or the damper so it is no longer acting like a tiny chisel against the retainer, but I've never done it....just always used springs with no damper assembly.

quote:

You aren't supposed to use a Titanium retainers with a spring having a flat wound damper, for that very reason.

Interesting. These heads came off a Bill Mitchell crate engine. I would have expected better from good ole Bill.

Measure the i.d.of the hole at the bottom of a Ti retainer where the valve locks reside on a well used retainer...Then measure that same hole on a brand new Ti retainer of the same manufacture...
You will be surprised especially in applications with high cylinder pressure....Blown applications especially...008"-.012" wear in there..Valve locks do pull thu..Wear marks not always visible in retainer well...Inspect locks carefully....