labrat Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Okay, I found out why I was bending pushrods left and right... Incorrect valve springs. I have '98 vortec heads on my 350, and using standard Z28 valve springs without cutting the spring pockets on the heads, resulting in some nasty coil bind. My question is, can I just use the stock springs for the 98 chevy truck? Or will I have to pull the heads and have the spring pockets machined for standard 350 sbc valve springs? I know my cam lift is fairly tame, I was trying to stay under the max lift for the heads (chevy recommends staying under .475"). Will this give me any problems with the stock vortec valve springs? Cam specs: Crane Energizer hydraulic flat tappet 272* advertised duration and .454 lift. 1.5 ratio stock stamped self aligning rockers. Stock length pushrods. Any and all suggestions are, as always, greatly appreciated! Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastzcars Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 you know I just read 2 mags about comp cams new "Bee Hive" valve springs , They are suppose to fit your vortec heads without mods to the spring seat pockets. Check out Comp Cams web site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labrat Posted May 20, 2004 Author Share Posted May 20, 2004 I checked the site, and it says that they are specifically for the LS1 head. Would these work for my vortecs? They are a little outta my price range for valve springs, anyway. That's the whole reason I went with a milder cam, so that valve train issues wouldn't get too expensive.... Thanks for the input! Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BillV Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 I had stock springs on my 383 w/ Vortec heads and had no problems. I was using a .443/ .465 cam, with stock self-aligning rockers. I ran it up to 6500 several times with no valve float. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labrat Posted May 21, 2004 Author Share Posted May 21, 2004 Thank you! I already ordered a set of the stockers, but I was just wanting to make sure I wouldn't have the coil bind problems again. The stock springs are 60 bux a set VS. 250 for the beehive ones... As long as they will work, it'll be fine. I doubt that cam would even pull to 6500 rpm, so I should be fine. Rev limiter is set at 5800 anyway. Thx for the input! Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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