Installing valve springs
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 27
From: Athens Ohio
Installing valve springs
I am going to install LT4 valve springs in my 86. I read the FSM today and it shows dampers in the existing springs. The new springs I got did not come with dampers. Do I need to use them with the new springs?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,322
Likes: 248
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
You will need the LT4 base and caps. Removing the exhaust rotator requires a substantial amount of shims to get the correct installed height on the LT4 springs.
Here was my solution to the problem. I use the factory base and trim the LT4 base to slide over it. In between the 2 bases, I stacked the required shims to get to the correct installed height. This made for a solid platform considering all the shims required on the exhaust side. The intake side, I did the same but only required 1 shim in between the 2 bases.
I used a tappered stone to enlarge the LT4 base. The tappered stone worked well as it removed material equally as it made the hole bigger.
Here are a few pics to help you get an idea.
128 base and the LT4 base
Enlarged LT4 base and virgin LT4 base
The 128 base/shims/LT4 base.
Here was my solution to the problem. I use the factory base and trim the LT4 base to slide over it. In between the 2 bases, I stacked the required shims to get to the correct installed height. This made for a solid platform considering all the shims required on the exhaust side. The intake side, I did the same but only required 1 shim in between the 2 bases.
I used a tappered stone to enlarge the LT4 base. The tappered stone worked well as it removed material equally as it made the hole bigger.
Here are a few pics to help you get an idea.
128 base and the LT4 base
Enlarged LT4 base and virgin LT4 base
The 128 base/shims/LT4 base.
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