Guys - I'm doing a rebuild of my '71 350, and adding the SBC Vortec heads. Max cam lift on these heads is about .470. To get a higher lift cam in there, those in the know say to use the Comp Cams "918" beehive springs - the same ones used in many upgrades of the LS motors. I have regular SBC valves - 11/32" diameter 1.94/1.5 configuration. After reading all the specs of the Z06 Yellow springs, I found that the measurements and strength of them would be just what I need for the Vortec heads without the expense of buying the Comp Cams upgrade. These are a beehive spring and use special retainers.

MY QUESTION - I know I can use the Z06 valve springs and retainers on these heads, but can I use the Z06 RETAINER LOCKS on my regular, standard, 11/32" diameter off-the-shelf SBC valves? Or are the Z06 valve stems bigger than 11/32"? Is the indent at the top for the locks in the same location as the older valves? THANK YOU for any help with this. If anyone had a Z06 valve and could set it next to a standard SBC Gen I valve for comparison, that would be awesome.

OK - I have found some info - the Z06 valve stems were measured at 8.001mm or 0.315" in diameter. I suppose I just need to do the match but it sounds like 11/32" to me. Can someone tell me if there is a significant difference here? Oops - 11/32 = 0.343 - maybe it's not close enough... Would it be possible to use the regular 11/32" locks with the smaller Z06 retainers?

 

You can't use the LSx retainers and locks with your setup. LS valves are metric, yours are standard.

 

Could I use the 11/32 LOCKS with the Z06 retainers?

 

As far as I know, you can't use the LS retainers.