Thread: How much lift can stock Vortec heads handle?

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measure the space between your valve retainer and the seal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How exactly do I measure the distance? this is my very first engine build so any help would be awesome.

Originally Posted by micaiahbur14

How exactly do I measure the distance? this is my very first engine build so any help would be awesome.

Here's a nice little tutorial for you. You use snap gauges to find the distance from the spring seat to the underside of the retainer....
https://www.lunatipower.com/Tech/Val...pringTech.aspx
and here's another one from the crankshaft coalition, showing the use of a snap gauge to find the distance.....
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...ve_spring_tech

You can also do this the low-tech way by cutting a piece of clothes-hanger-wire to the length you are seeking and holding it in there with needle-nose pliers.

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Originally Posted by jerry clayton

measure the space between your valve retainer and the seal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, and leave 0.060" safety margin added to the lift to counter valve float.

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