Topic: Springs / Retainers for Kenny Harmon D grind.

[Garage_guy_chris]

Hey guys Im finally starting to get the engine build underway and I think Im electing to use a 70/71 stock head I have thats in great condition and barely used after a rebuild. Only problem I have is I would like to run a Kenny Harmon D grind cam and i realize a stock valve train needs some light upgrades to cope.

- Keeping OEM valves and guides so upgrades need to be compatible.
- What is a better upgrade for the springs the kibblewhite springs or APE springs I would prefer to keep the seat pressure and opening pressure to the lower of the two choices ?
       - Kibblewhite is 80# closed 240# @.440" lift  ( im assuming # is pounds?)
       - Cant find specs on APE springs
- Retainers and keepers? Are Titanium retainers required or just a weight reduction thing?
 
Here are the specs from Satanic Mechanic:
Among others, Kenny Harmon cams were distributed by Action Fours and Megacycle:

                                                                                                        In o/c
                                                                                                        Ex o/c
         Valve   Durat-                                                                          btc/abc
Cam      lift    ion       Description                                                      bbc/atc
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
D        .345    277       A famous grind. Excellent for a major HP        32/65
         .325    294       increase, yet a wide range of use. Long          77/37
                               exhaust duration for sustained high speed
                               cruising without excess combustion chamber
                               temperature. May be used with stock
                              springs if desired.

[BPellerine]

ti retainers are not needed just a weight reduction thing while being stronger than aluminum.even use 77,78 springs a little stronger than the older ones,depends on your budget and how you will use it.bill

[Old Scrambler]

'77 K valve collets and retainers are the same as earlier models...............so will fit your head with the stronger springs. I think '78 K and all 77-78 F models use a different collet so the grove in the valve stem and the retainer shape is different.

[Big Jay]

Can't believe I have to tell you guys who has the best springs and retainers and valves  for the sohc 750

[BPellerine]

sorry big jay,thought he was asking if they were needed not what was best.haha also just saying that the 78 springs are a little stronger.bill

[Garage_guy_chris]

Big Jay maybe you can answer this, as I was gonna email cbrzone.com/sohc.html    tech@aperaceparts.com. 

You wouldn't happen to know the closed seat pressure and pressure @ 'X' lift figures on your springs? Also they will work with stock retainers?

[MRieck]

'77 K valve collets and retainers are the same as earlier models...............so will fit your head with the stronger springs. I think '78 K and all 77-78 F models use a different collet so the grove in the valve stem and the retainer shape is different.

Dennis....77K keepers are different as are the retainers.

[Old Scrambler]

Mike; Thanks for picking me up......

[Don R]

 I cheaped out and ran a nice set of stockers until I missed second and bent 2 of my nos valves.  Then I bought APE springs and retainers. I started with a stock F2 cam, I'm running a Kenny Harmon F now.

[Garage_guy_chris]

Well i got into this further and did some measuring and emailing and now I have some much needed answers:


Stock K spring
@ 1.440 installed height   47.4 lbs seat pressure
@ .345 lift                          145.4 lbs
@ .325 lift                          142.2 lbs
*anybody have there own measurements? im curious how accurate my test rig is...

The Kibblewhite springs. (advertised specs)
@ ? ? ? installed height    80 lbs seat pressure
@ .440 lift                         240 lbs

APE springs
@ 1.440 installed height  95lbs on the seat
@ .345 lift                        215lbs over the nose.
@  .325 lift                       207lbs over the nose.

Mystery springs possibly Manley     < winner winner chicken dinner.
@ 1.440                          60 lbs seat pressure
@ .345 lift                       180 lbs seat pressure
@ .325 lift                       170 lbs seat pressure

* these mystery springs seem like the logical choice a modest upgrade to go with a modest cam. It just so happens its attached to a nice head with stainless retainers and manley SS valves. Im once again changing the plan but whatever.

[Stev-o]

Hey guys...bringing this old thread back up.   Currently reassembling my K4 motor after a blow up.

I'm reusing the KH D grind, but cannot find specs on setting the valves.

Guessing it is the same as stock, can anyone confirm?

Thanks

[PeWe]

Std cam valve lash is way too tight.
A hotter cam is usually 0.10mm (0.004") in/ex or little more for ex.

Search for one of my posts where  I have uploaded Action Fours cam data. Kenny Harmon D is among them.

Satanic mechanic website has cam data too

[Stev-o]

Std cam valve lash is way too tight.
A hotter cam is usually 0.10mm (0.004") in/ex or little more for ex.

Search for one of my posts where  I have uploaded Action Fours cam data. Kenny Harmon D is among them.

Satanic mechanic website has cam data too

Std cam valve lash is way too tight.
A hotter cam is usually 0.10mm (0.004") in/ex or little more for ex.

Search for one of my posts where  I have uploaded Action Fours cam data. Kenny Harmon D is among them.

Satanic mechanic website has cam data too

I visited SM website, I did not see valve lash specs?

http://satanicmechanic.org/kharmoncam.shtml

What do you suggest?

Thanks

[Bill/BentON Racing]

.005 intake and exhaust

[Stev-o]

.005 intake and exhaust

Got it, thanks