I sent an e-mail to rocket about a week ago and haven't gotten anything back. I have a valvetrain that I purchased over a year ago and it was sealed in it's packaging up until a couple weeks ago when my builder Mike tried installing them in the head.

The retainers don't fall into the spring the inner diameters are either too big on the retainers or the spring inner diameters are too small and I was advised that I really shouldn't run a valvetrain that doesn't fall together as it should and I really don't want to modify it to 'make it work'

What do you guys think I should do? It'd suck to take the hit for this valvetrain when it was never even used I just want to assemble the head and sell it to fund my K project/throw some money at Mike

This is by no means a Rocket call out so I don't want people to think I'm trying to exploit him. It'd be mint if i had it swapped though lol

 

any pictures of them?

 

They are suppose to fit together tightly so that the retainer does not shift back and forth on the spring. This shortens the life of the titanium. Put a dab of grease on the retainer and snap it onto the spring using the palm of your hands.

 

Was the valvetrain in your possession for the year it wasnt being used, or your builders?

 

They aren't supposed to fall in, they are supposed to snap in. They were designed they way. Unless I am missunderstanding what you mean.

 

My machine shop thought the same thing when I had them install my RM valvetrain. They require a firm "snap in" to go together but it is intended that way so they won't move and reduce the life of the retainers. Once I told my machine shop to press them in they did and everything works fine.

 

Is your builder "mike" mike belben? If so I'm sure he has built heads with this valvetrain and would know how the retainers have an interference fit in the inner springs. If it is a different mike, then you should verify the problem. Like everyone else said, the RM retainers actually "snap" into the inner valve springs to prevent the titanium from galling from the friction.

 

They were un-opened the entire time. I had them at Mike Belben's I was there when he opened the package to put them in the head. I'll double check them but I'm 90% sure we couldn't fit them at all. I know they should fit snug but these were not fitting at all.. once I get home I'll grab them and snap pics.. hopefully we just weren't putting in enough elbow greese! thanks for the suggestions guys.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 743power &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is your builder "mike" mike belben? If so I'm sure he has built heads with this valvetrain and would know how the retainers have an interference fit in the inner springs. If it is a different mike, then you should verify the problem. Like everyone else said, the RM retainers actually "snap" into the inner valve springs to prevent the titanium from galling from the friction.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ya it's belben... I have all my confidence in him.

 

Super tight fit. Snapped on with something like this

 

Send them back and I will pop them in for you.

Or send them to DonF. He owes me $10,000 in Hondat S300 tech help. He doesn't want to pay now. That old *****.

 

Rocket likes his valvetrain the same way he likes his poontang; tight as a motherexpletiveer.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Master of the Universe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Send them back and I will pop them in for you.

Or send them to DonF. He owes me $10,000 in Hondat S300 tech help. He doesn't want to pay now. That old *****. </TD></TR></TABLE>


Lol I should be good with a brick on a stone right?

I should be able to take care of it I have a hydraulic press at my dad's Thanks for the info though that saves me trouble and thanks for the offer to take care of it for me!

 

did this ever get fixed pat? i distinctively felt like something wasnt right with this set.. from memory, i dont think there was a chamfer on the inner edge of the spring and i'd like to think there should have been.

like to know for next time.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rochesterricer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Rocket likes his valvetrain the same way he likes his poontang; tight as a motherexpletiveer.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

either way you're lookin at less wear and tear

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ipodhustle &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

either way you're lookin at less wear and tear

</TD></TR></TABLE>

and handle of a lot of cam action lol

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SiB16A &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

and handle of a lot of cam action lol</TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL!
when my girl saw my cams she was like "what are those..rainsticks??"
in her half ditz, blonde-esque voice haha

gotta love her. after all, she makes my stick rain

 

Does this mean if I purchase RM valve springs/retainers I would have to do the same exact thing & pop them In?

 

There are several ways to install them.

 

Can you smack them in with a socket and hammer?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by all-mtr-teg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Can you smack them in with a socket and hammer?</TD></TR></TABLE>

you have to make sure it's a big hammer....and swing really hard

 

How about a ball joint press

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Fat Chick Magnet &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Does this mean if I purchase RM valve springs/retainers I would have to do the same exact thing & pop them In?</TD></TR></TABLE>

They pre-installed.

Mad titeness y0.