Well after having Comeptition Sales help me out of every screw up possible, I think I have everything I need. They were supposed to have my valves in, but they didn't get ordered and they forgot I needed the oil shields and o-rings. Not really their fault, more mine.... the guy was pretty patient with me for being as perturbed as I was.

I ordered 1.94" Intake and 1.50" Exhaust CompCams Valves, Comp Cam Springs (Stock Height, load, etc.), retainers, keepers, 0-rings, oil shields.

The only problem I see is there are "rotators" or "locators" (they didn't even know) that the spring itself sits on. It looks like an inverted retainer, but sits inbetween the head and spring. I assume so the spring doesn't wreck the aluminum head. Will this affect the installed height?

Does the installed height still remain 1.700 ???

Thanks for all your help and info!!!

Did I miss anything?

p.s. GTSYELLOW I went to GM to order your part#'s and 2 were non-orderable ??? and the other 2 were backed up for 2 weeks... so I went elsewhere. Thanks though... the part #'s x-reffed at Competition for CompCams parts.

 

TTT

Anyone rebuilt their L98's?

 

To check the height you must use the same locator, retainer, and locks that you will be using for final assembly.

The locator will serve to shorten the install height, thus give you more seat pressure, but less lift capability. Essentially you will be shimming all of your springs by using the locator. Some aluminum heads use them, some don't. Personally I would prefer to use them if at all possible. If the install height is 1.700 you should be able to still obtain that, depending on how close the valve job was. Since the locator serves as a shim in it's own right you will have to shim them all less than you would without the locator in order to gain any given install height. Now if say for example that you have no shims and all of your springs set up perfectly at 1.700. In this case, which isn't likely, your locator would cut down your install height.

So, if you were going to have to shim it more than the thickness of the locator, it won't change a thing. If you weren't going to have to shim it that much then it may cut down on your install height. There are ways round this as well though, you can use different locks and retainers, etc. Hope it makes sense. Honestly I know what I'm talking about because I worked for a while at Total Engine Airflow assembling cylinder heads. It was my job to check all the install heights and such, do the shimming, etc. It's just kinda hard to explain. If something doesn't make sense just let me know. :cheers:

 

Thank you! For the most part that all makes perfect sense. When I have all the parts in front of me and I lap the valves and check the install height I will see if there is something that doesn't seem right. Thanks for your help, it all makes a lot more sense now.

Oh, one quick question. When I measure the install height, do I measure from the locator or the head?

:cheers:

 

If you know that you want to obtain 1.700 then you will want to measure it with the locator so you can determine how much shim to use. Then take the locator out and put the shims under it. If you measure from the head and shim it to 1.700 and then put in the locator your install height will be 1.700 - whatever the thickness of the locator is.


[Modified by Nathan Plemons, 6:47 PM 12/17/2002]