Beware of extreme retainer wear due the valvesprings and high pressure these cams put out during VTEC. I blew my last motor because of retainer failure, valve dropped. Noticed the some moderate retainer wear during my valve adjustment, I have put 20,000 miles on these retainers. Im ordering new retainers this week. The wear is also due to the sharp edges on the valvesprings. Its a good idea to have the springs chamfered before installation to minimize wear. Just to be on the safe side, check um out. Retainer wear can be seen by uneven valvespring height among the retainers (looking from the side not on top).


[Modified by GSRalph, 1:12 AM 8/25/2002]

 

Retainers are a wear item.

They're not expected to last 50,000 miles.

 

Thats not true, when I blew my last engine I had a machinist whos been doing engines for over 30 years, told me that titanium retainers should last as long as the valvetrain, they shouldnt go bad in only 20,000 miles. JUN also agreed when I contacted them.

 

Ok.

Retainers are supposed to last as long as the valvetrain.

Yet you see wear on your retainers again, right?

Do you believe what you're witnessing with your own eyes or what JUN and the machinist told you?

 

its the valvesprings, they have sharp edges as seen by previous retainers wear, they sheared the outer most retainer seat nice and clean. 555R on this board had the same problem. Im having the springs chamfered during the installation.

 

So you think it's all a result of the sharp edges of the spring rather than the load put on the retainer?

Let us know how your new retainers are in 20,000 miles.

 

sooo what valvesprings are you using?

 

JUN Valvesprings. There are people on this board that have been using big aftermarket cams for more than 50,000 miles who havent reported any retainer failure! The wear isnt on all the retainers only 3 on the intake side and 2 on the exhaust side. Incedently those are the springs with the sharp edges.


[Modified by GSRalph, 1:34 AM 8/25/2002]

 

all this negative vibe about retainers from Reid ....how were the rockers BTW?

 

Thanks for the heads up... I'll be tearing mine apart soon to take a looksee.

Miguel

 

the rocker arms are fine, and so are the cams for that matter, inspected all the lobes virtually no wear . Save yourself 4,000.00 and inspect the retainers.

 

This should be done regardless.

 

anyone heard of problems with the other JUN stages ?
I use stage 2 with a crower valvetrain

 

ever consider that possibly those springs might have been installed upside down???

 

Got no problems with mine. 45K + miles

 

Seen this problem before many times.

Retainer starts getting all smacked around.

I would probably bet the installed height of the spring is wrong. JUN claims its right, at the specs they provide, but I and Portflow, along with others have measured it more than a few times to triple check...and the installed hieght is WRONG.

Doing it the way JUN says, you have like 7k to coil bind. Do it right, you have like 27k.

So, I bet your at 7k, and at higher RPM's your just vibrating it or jarring it around wtih the intense pressure.

Never seen it happen on a car with proper installed height.

Just trying to help, I could be wrong in your case.

Check http://www.importreview.com for the spring test. For proper installed.

Jeff

 

hmmm thats an interesting point IR...
right now I am running Jun3s with a complete Manley top and bottom end
I am sure the installed height is correct as per their spec...no probs so far
and I do inspect them once in a while without any drama....so far
I did have that issue with the first set of Jun v train I had... the second set was fine
i have had it to 10k also

 

I've seen Jun cams that have literally snapped into two pieces

 

From improper installation...

 

But the impact was only regulated to 180psi It should have been fine

 

yeah using an impact gun to put the cam gears on is brilliant . Nothing like throwing the balance off and then revving to 9k.


[Modified by GSRalph, 5:39 AM 8/26/2002]