Valve springs 340 Stocker Engine
 

Need help finding a valve spring for my 340 stock eliminator engine. I have been using Isky Springs for years, but they do not have enough pressure for the cam I am running now. Installed height is 1.680 to 1.700. Would like 200 to 220 lbs. on the seat. I just tried to install a new conical spring Comp Cams came out with, but the seat pressure is 290 lbs with their retainer. Even with fifty thousands higher keepers pressure would be 270 lbs. Any advice would be appreciated. Mike Coe 5151 G/S

Re: Valve springs 340 Stocker Engine
 

have you checked on Pac? 1409X is around that pressure,set up slightly shorter than you mentioned, I have set them up 215-220lbs about 425-450 with .430 lift.
They also have a BBC version that may work for you.
Manley has a few to choose from also.
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: Valve springs 340 Stocker Engine
 

Thanks for the reply Mike. None of the PAC springs will work and I checked out the 1409X and it won't work. I've been through every valve spring chart I can find and I haven't found anything that will work better than the Isky springs that are made by PSI. There is probably a spring out of a dual spring set that will work, but by looking at the charts I haven't run across it. If someone knows what others are using it would sure be appreciated. I've seen a couple that might work, but it would be close and I hate to buy several sets of springs and find out it's a no go. The inside diameter of the spring has to be about one inch and must travel about .520 for lift and coil bind clearance at the 1.680 to 1.700 installed height. The short installed height is the killer. Thanks, Mike Coe 5151

Re: Valve springs 340 Stocker Engine
 

Sent you an email Mike.

Re: Valve springs 340 Stocker Engine
 

Thanks Bob. Anyone else with any suggestions? Come on go fast guys, I just need alittle spring pressure, that's all. LOL

Re: Valve springs 340 Stocker Engine
 

Mike,

Why exactly will the 1409X work? Need to know so I have an idea what to look for.

Re: Valve springs 340 Stocker Engine
 

Brad Van Lant will sale you what you need

573 346 1360

he's a go fast small block mopar guy

Re: Valve springs 340 Stocker Engine
 

Thanks for the replies.. Turbo, the reason the 1409X won't work is, the inside diameter of the spring is too small, I need at least 1.00 inch and when you squeeze that spring down to 1.680 installed height and then collapse it down .520 for cam lift and coil bind clearance it is at 1.16 and it says it coil binds at 1.19 inches. Kelly, thanks for the advice, I'll call Brad tomorrow and see what he says. If you don't care about the rule book, lots of springs can be made to work, but it says the head cannot be modified in anyway to install a valve spring. To me that says I can't cut the step off from the guide out to the valve spring pocket to accept a smaller inside diameter spring.. Also the valves must be stock demensions, so that leaves out installing a longer valve, which would also make things easier. The mopar short spring and installed height is just a big problem. Thanks for the replies and if anyone else knows what others are using, let me know, something has to work!! Mike

Re: Valve springs 340 Stocker Engine
 

Mike:
I have fooled around with the expensive NASCAR springs and latest Beehive spring
with the new trick camshafts.
I went back to my 25 year old profiles and the ISKY springs again about
170 on seat and run just as well or a little better

That being said......My boy runs a complete Van Lant engine with all the new tech stuff ( We both believe Brad is the premier small block mopar guy to go to!) and is about .03 to .04 slower any given pass each time out (with identical twin Demons) which is still pretty good. He doesn't mind working constantly on his car and may find something someday.....Just not the last year or so.

I am too old and my back is too bad to struggle with all the valve train problems that the big spring pressures/ new cams profiles / Ceramic lifters generated for me for little or no perceptual gain and a LOT of money!


As Always you results may vary!

Re: Valve springs 340 Stocker Engine
 

xx

Re: Valve springs 340 Stocker Engine
 

Thanks for the reply John, see you in Vegas. Mike

Re: Valve springs 340 Stocker Engine
 

Sorry if I am ignorant on Stocker engine builds, but the spec I have for a 1969 340 calls for a .462" intake and .473" exhaust lift. Are people using a "square" lobe to loft the valvetrain off the lobe to get the .520" lift? I have an old Cam Dynamics 340 Stocker cam from the 1970s and it has a flattened nose on the lobes. I have some newer cams from Lunati and Bullet that have a more regular lobe appearance.

Re: Valve springs 340 Stocker Engine
 

He did say the .520" number was for lift AND coil bind. Allowing .060" for coil bind clearance would put the lift number at about what you had....

Re: Valve springs 340 Stocker Engine
 

The earlier cams had a more square nose profile like you describe because there was a maximum allowable duration rule in effect then.The valve started to open later,and it had to close sooner,so the lobe characteristics were more brutal. Parts breakage,valve bounce, bad stuff happened very frequently,especially on the go fast setups.The more recent stocker cams look more conventional because the ramp starts sooner,arrived at maximum lift about when it did, then closed later. Valve action was a bit smoother, and the engine would run at a higher rpm with out all that uncontrolled motion,Also,breathing started sooner and ceased later,making more power. DON'T EVEN THINK of using a square nose cam with a ceramic lifter. Get a set of Trend or Sherman tool steel lifters,fork out the bucks and do it right the first time.

Re: Valve springs 340 Stocker Engine
 

I read that as ".520" lift" and the coil bind clearance on top of that. It never occurred to me that he was rolling the .060" in with the lift. In the USAF we had a saying about tunnel vision. Thanks for the vision outside my little box.

As far as that old CD Stocker cam, it sounds like it needs to go back in the 1970s box it came out of. I don't have the budget for ceramic lifters or even the tool steel ones. I think the Speed-Pro HT2011R lifters are exotic.