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Valve Spring Shims

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Old 03-24-2003, 10:40 PM
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Valve Spring Shims

What are the purpose/use of valve spring shims and how are they installed?
Old 03-24-2003, 11:03 PM
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Car: yy wife, crazy.
Engine: 350, Vortecs, 650DP
Transmission: TH-350
Axle/Gears: 8.5", 3.42
They're used to raise the bottom of the spring so that the spring height is within spec.

Most commonly 1.70" is the recommended spring height. Of course there are exceptions. Some springs require 1.72" or what not.

The springs must be installed at the recommended installed height in order to meet the spring seat pressure they’re rated at. 110# @ 1.70" seat pressure for example.

If the height from the spring pocket to the retainer is larger than the recommended height (1.76" for example), then shims are used to ‘eat up’ that space.
Old 03-24-2003, 11:10 PM
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Car: yy wife, crazy.
Engine: 350, Vortecs, 650DP
Transmission: TH-350
Axle/Gears: 8.5", 3.42
Oh......

They're installed by placing them under the valve spring before you set it in the spring pocket on the head.
Old 03-25-2003, 12:16 AM
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whats the best way to measure the spring height?
Old 03-25-2003, 05:48 AM
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ede
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i use a snap gauge and caliper
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