well next week one way or another im getting a rebuilt head, with o-rings, and studs, and new HG...

now i need to decide if its worth it to put upgraded valve springs in it. the way things look now, i dont see a cam in my future. id rather spend the money on a 3 piece manifold to go with the new head than the valve springs.

 

sorry no thoughts to give but question. what would a set of better valve springs exactly do?

 

usually they are needed when planning to run over 4k rpms, but they are also needed when doing a cam upgrade. i dont see a cam in my future, i can see maybe a HRVP44, mach 4's, and a TST smarty stack, then twins...but no cam

 

If you're gonna run twins later...I would. High boost pressure from twins can also float valves near redline...not just higher RPM

The nice thing about valve springs, is you can add them later, with the head on the truck!

I would go ahead an do it while it's easy, though
Chris

 

yeah I agree. Now is the golden opportunity.

 

well unfortunately i can only afford so much right now

studs- $400
gasket set- $200
machine work and o-rings- $350-$850 depending on condition of current head
R&R for someone to do the job - $300-600 labor

what will the new springs run???

 

i think dons springs are about 600 or so. well worth it if you ask me. especially when you get them next to the stockers and compare them.

 

New springs are around 110 I believe and I would highly recomend you get them.

 

Yeah, you can do them later as mentioned. It is a good time to do it, but I understand the moneything. Add them later if you decide to do a cam. sounds like you are not planning on it though so you'll probably be fine. I personally would want to do it at the same time, but like mentioned you can do it later if you decide.

 

ok...now im confused...

if springs are $110 ill do them now...if they are $600 forget it, my money will be better spent on a smarty for $600

 

Don's are $600 from what I understand.

 

Heavy duty valve springs (60lb springs) from cummins for a 12 valve are ~10 a piece. So for a set for a 12 valve is ~120.

But from what I understood is that the 24 valve engines already had heavy/60lb valve springs. As you don't need to upgrade the exhaust springs to add an exhaust brake, and should be able to turn 4k rpms without floating the valves. Isn't the redline already 3500rpms stock? I don't think you really need to upgrade valve springs unless you are going to turn over 4k or have a upgraded cam with increased lift. But I may be completely off base here.

 

Ok, looks like $650. From Don's site:

Pro/Sportsman Single Springs
Using the latest technology in chromium steel materials, heat treating and shot peening we have a perfectly matched spring for the Helix camshafts. They will control the valve train under extreme conditions of high RPM and high boost. They have a higher spring pressure on the seat and when open than the stock 60 lb springs used from Cummins. The springs are a direct drop in replacement and the stock retainers and keepers/collets can be used. No expensive titanium components are needed. Lowering costs.

An ovate wire design was used to provide for maximum clearance with high lift cam lobes and higher spring pressures while keeping everything in a compact and lightweight package. They will last the life of the engine and beyond. Race after race. The triple shot peening process adds another 30% of spring life to the already long term solution in materials and the heat treating selected.

Users of the current RPM elevating electronic boxes now have a more affordable solution to valvetrain control.

These springs can be installed with the cylinder head on the engine. Typically for a first timer the process takes about 3 hours.

More information on the Pro/SportsMan springs can be found here

24 Springs: $ 650.00

 

Don really likes to stick it to guys with money. Stock already have 60#er's. Leave it alone. Spend the money on the ats manifold you want.

 

Bgilbert,

You just love hijacking threads and causing trouble dont ya?

If you had any clue on the valve float issues with high boost and back pressure, you would keep quiet. The "60 lb" number does not mean 60 lbs of seat pressure with the spring. It is a number used to tell us what the back pressure can be with an exhaust brake by Cummins.

I have many, many customers who run 100 plus pounds of back pressure with their set ups. Twin turbo guys mostly, but some have singles. You gonna tell them that their stock 60 lbs springs are fine too? How about my guys who run 4000 RPM with their 24v's? How about the guys who run a Helix 3 cam and the crazy lift rates on the lobes? They OK too? LMAO.

Don~