Charger is down, Exhaust valve spring Broke

[TXcharger70]

  Maybe someone could explain this I was getting ready to go for a ride in the charger, I had just finished replacing the thermostat from a 160 to 180 no big deal. I finished up and took it for a short cruise, I drove  about 2 miles and was doing a turn around and notice a loss of power and engine was shaking and stumbling. I shut it off popped the hood and was trying to trouble shoot but every thing looked fine. Oil was good and I had fuel. I had my buddy tow me back to the shop. I pulled the valve covers to check my valves to see if they where out of adjustment and on the driverside the first exhaust valve rocker arm was loose then I pressed down on the spring and I could push it down by hand and notice the spring bind was broken. I need to call 440 source about there springs cause the are supposedly good for .600 lift.  I think my valve is fine and I didn't through a valve. What springs can I use to replace the springs that came with 440 source heads cause now I don't trust any of them?

My build is 383 (496) stroker
440 heads and comp 10  Retainers and locks 1.6 rocker
Comp xs282s

[TXcharger70]

Here's a pic

[Cooter]

Trouble is, you'd have to know at What installed height the old springs were in order to properly run a new set. I've always had good luck with name brand springs like Lunati, or Comp.

[red69superbee]

get that spring out and put retainer and keepers back on to check spring height.using calipers to measure wire thickness, spring diameter and installed height, any spring place, comp,or whoever you like should be able to come up with a set for you.Im sur you already have information on camshaft ?

[TXcharger70]

I have all the dimensions for the springs per 440 source so that's not a problem. I just don't know if I should trust any of them. I think I want to replace them all. My question is what would cause a valve spring to break?
and based on these specs can some recommend a better spring from my application

here are the specs
Valve Spring Type: Single with Damper. Recommended for maximum .600" lift. 
Valve Spring Closed (seat) Pressure: Approx. 130 pounds @ 1.875" installed height
Valve Spring Open Pressure Approx. 330 pounds @ 1.275" (.600" lift.) 
Valve Spring Inner Diameter: 1.050"
Valve Spring Maximum Lift:  .600"
Valve Spring Coil Bind Height:  1.130" 
Valve Spring Outer Diameter: 1.550"
Valve Spring Free Height 2.400"
Valve Spring Installed Height: 1.875"
Valve Spring Wire Diameter: .202"
Valve Spring Number of Coils: 5.5

[TXcharger70]

I sent 440 source a pic and spoke with them of course they haven't had any issues with there valve springs. We left off that I was going to check to make sure I did not bend a valve. Can anybody explain why this happen? I would just like to understand besides it being a defective spring. Ron or someone if they could chime in and shed some light on this for me. My cam is .520 intake and 540 exhaust so its not huge

[69rtse4spd]

Could be the batch of springs were not stress relieved properly. Take it off & look at the break closely, if it looks like a fairly straight line break then to brittle, not relieved at the right temp. or for the right amount of time. Could take them all off & to a tool shop with a Rockwell tester & have them check the RC. but you would have to know what they were from the manufacture. If they all check within a few RC of each other + or - then it could be just a bad spring. How long have you been running them, type of driving  , If you are going to replace them ( I would) then all this is mute anyway, good luck wit what ever you decide to do.

[TXcharger70]

When I looked at the spring it look like a snap. My driving has been around town nothing crazy. I haven't come close to redlining the motor. I will say have been running them (which they came assembled with the heads) for about 500 miles

[Challenger340]

I sent 440 source a pic and spoke with them of course they haven't had any issues with there valve springs. We left off that I was going to check to make sure I did not bend a valve. Can anybody explain why this happen? I would just like to understand besides it being a defective spring. Ron or someone if they could chime in and shed some light on this for me. My cam is .520 intake and 540 exhaust so its not huge

.520 & .540 with your 1.6 ratio rockers is actually .554" and .576", but still under the reccomended .600" max.

Any "cold" rpm's put to it ? That'll break springs.....
Just because the temp gauge comes up to 160*, the springs are still dead nutz cold....... Takes "time" with the Engine at 160*, for the temp to conduct UP into the springs.
Sure fire way to tell...is when you change them out, test the spring pressure at 1.875" and see if they still give 130#


Offshore "quality" Chinese Springs ??

[TXcharger70]

Thanks for the reply. What rpm being cold would be bad? What springs would you recommend?

[Scaregrabber]

You're doing the right thing to change them all out.

Sheldon

[firefighter3931]

The XS282S is not overly agressive but with a 1.6 rocker ratio you definately want a dual spring. I would look at the Isky 8005's....they'll drop right in, no problem. 


Ron

[Challenger340]

The XS282S is not overly agressive but with a 1.6 rocker ratio you definately want a dual spring. I would look at the Isky 8005's....they'll drop right in, no problem. 


Ron

  Isky 8005's are the ticket

Thanks for the reply. What rpm being cold would be bad? What springs would you recommend?

"Snap" throttle rpm's when cold are Spring Killers, it's the quick up & down.
Best to just go easy UP & DOWN on the rpm's for the first 10 minutes or so AFTER the engine gets to 160*, to say 2,500 rpm so the heat can "sink" into the springs, just drive easy.

[TXcharger70]

The XS282S is not overly agressive but with a 1.6 rocker ratio you definately want a dual spring. I would look at the Isky 8005's....they'll drop right in, no problem. 


Ron

Is there a disadvantage with my set up running 1.6 vs 1.5? Just curious, I used 1.6 cause a buddy of mine wasn't using the set so I jumped on it

[firefighter3931]

The XS282S is not overly agressive but with a 1.6 rocker ratio you definately want a dual spring. I would look at the Isky 8005's....they'll drop right in, no problem. 


Ron

Is there a disadvantage with my set up running 1.6 vs 1.5? Just curious, I used 1.6 cause a buddy of mine wasn't using the set so I jumped on it

The only disadvantage would be broken valvesprings or valve float if the spring pressure is insufficient to control the valve...as you've discovered. 


Ron

[TXcharger70]

Point taken thanks. Now the springs that you suggested 8005 Isky should have enough spring pressure correct? Just want to make sure I get it done right this time around.

[firefighter3931]

Point taken thanks. Now the springs that you suggested 8005 Isky should have enough spring pressure correct? Just want to make sure I get it done right this time around.

Yes, the 8005 is fine with that cam and a 1.6 rocker. That's why i recommended it 

A buddy runs a much more agressive solid flat tappet cam & 1.6 rockers with over .600 valve lift shifting at 6800 and the valvetrain is very stable. 



Ron

[TXcharger70]

Thanks for all the info and help. I will ordering the springs this week and take apart the heads. Don't know where I would be without dc or you guys with all the wealth of knowledge everyone provides. Thanks again guy :2thumbs:s

[firefighter3931]

You're welcome. 

I'm 100% confident that the 8005's will be perfect for your application 


Ron

[TXcharger70]

Thanks again I just ordered them yesterday. This weekend I will start to disassemble the heads to get them ready.