Beehive springs and guide wear – Iron heads

[Jerryl]

So, I was thinking again . . . .

The beehive springs will/may not maintain concentricity with the guides during operation resulting in excessive and premature guide wear among other issues . . . . . . . .meaning, the springs can move/slide around on the flat bottom where they sit on the head during operation.
This "sliding" can create some issues and I am wondering what a good solution is.
The options as I see it are (Excuse the lack of correct terminology );

-Std springs with inner spring
-Seat cup/washers at the bottom of the springs
-Custom machining of the heads (Not really a viable option)
-Buy some champions heads. (Not in the cards at this time either)

What is everyone doing about this?

 

[charlief1]

You can buy a seat cutter for less than $100 Jerryl. All you need is a 1/2" drill to drive it and then you can cut the spring seats however you want.

 

[NCTURBOS]

Definitely use a locator with the beehives!! You have to machine the guide down to .570 if I remember correctly...


K.

 

[Jerryl]

Definitely use a locator with the beehives!! You have to machine the guide down to .570 if I remember correctly...


K.

You can buy a seat cutter for less than $100 Jerryl. All you need is a 1/2" drill to drive it and then you can cut the spring seats however you want.

Thanks fellas.
So, it sounds like the heads have to be machined to create the locater?

 

[NCTURBOS]

Thanks fellas.
So, it sounds like the heads have to be machined to create the locater?

The locators are a part available from CompCams. The heads have to be machined to accept the locator. You have to address the guides OD thickness, and the locator adds .060 shim height, so to say...


K.

 

[turbodave231]

I just finished an engine with ported irons and Comp Beehives. You DO NOT have to machine the heads if you take Comp Cam's locator and open up the Inside Diameter in a lathe. They Work perfect!!

BTW, I'd never use the beehives without a locator, asking for problems!

Send me the locators and a bottle of Jim Beam and I'll machine them for you. 20 minutes of lathe time tops.

Dave

 

[Jerryl]

The locators are a part available from CompCams. The heads have to be machined to accept the locator. You have to address the guides OD thickness, and the locator adds .060 shim height, so to say...


K.

Thanks.
Thought FTS would have them, but I guess not.
Will call Mike in the morning. See pic for future searches . .

 

[Jerryl]

I just finished an engine with ported irons and Comp Beehives. You DO NOT have to machine the heads if you take Comp Cam's locator and open up the Inside Diameter in a lathe. They Work perfect!!

BTW, I'd never use the beehives without a locator, asking for problems!

Send me the locators and a bottle of Jim Beam and I'll machine them for you. 20 minutes of lathe time tops.

Dave

Thanks Dave!
Is the PN correct in the pic above?
Jim Bean? How about some Crown Royal and a few hand rolled cigars?

 

[turbodave231]

Crown always goes good with Hand rolled cigars!!

I'm in FLA visiting my in-laws. I don't have the exact P/N springs or locators that I used. I'll be home next Wed and check then.

I've used the same spring and locator on 2 engines. The 1st was a Champion GN1 headed engine. The springs and locators worked great with no machining.

The second engine has ported irons and stock valve guides. I had to machine the guides down, machine the rocker pedestals for T&D's, and machine the locators to fit over the stock guide and spring pad. I installed the springs at 1.650" and ended up with something like 140# pressure on the seat.

The beehives are nice because you don't ever run into the rocker arm hitting the spring retainer......lots of clearance with the tiny retainers.

Both engines are built using DLS roller cams.

Dave

 

[Chuck Leeper]

The first part of the part # is correct. The - ending has to be a 12. The 16 indicates the set is for a v-8..

 

[rw87tt]

Does anybody have the correct part numbers for the inside locators for the 3.8? I had the pac BH springs installed two years ago when the heads were rebuilt (engine still being assembled) and this is the first time I've heard that you have to have the locators installed.

 

[Just a Six??]

Does anybody have the correct part numbers for the inside locators for the 3.8? I had the pac BH springs installed two years ago when the heads were rebuilt (engine still being assembled) and this is the first time I've heard that you have to have the locators installed.

Same here??? Mike doesnt mention it & lets face it, thats another part sold with each order so that $$ in his pocket but yet he doesnt even sell them?? I dont get it??
Paging Mike please!

 

[Chuck Leeper]

I used the 4705 w/ the 26918 springs, on my Champ alums.

 

[charlief1]

Does anyone make a light weight beehive spring that could be used with a flat tappet cam?

 

[bison]

Does anyone make a light weight beehive spring that could be used with a flat tappet cam?

comp does. There is a master list of springs and their pressures at various lift numbers on their site

 

[charlief1]

comp does. There is a master list of springs and their pressures at various lift numbers on their site

Thanks Brian.:smile: I was hoping someone made them. Do you have a link by chance? I'm on dial and comps site takes a long time to load.

 

[bison]

Thanks Brian.:smile: I was hoping someone made them. Do you have a link by chance? I'm on dial and comps site takes a long time to load.

I dont have a link but 26981's @1.725 installed should be gtg.

 

[charlief1]

I dont have a link but 26981's @1.725 installed should be gtg.

Thanks Brian. I had a friend do a little research for me. I can do some minor mods on the head and drop the presure slightly by cutting the seat. This may just be the thing I was looking for.:biggrin:

 

[turbodave231]

Here is a picture of the spring, retainer, locator, stem seal and shims needed. The locator has been machined to fit over the stock guide.

 

[bison]

Thanks Brian. I had a friend do a little research for me. I can do some minor mods on the head and drop the presure slightly by cutting the seat. This may just be the thing I was looking for.:biggrin:

Or use +.050 keepers and shim as needed