BadDog

I know there are a lot of threads and info on HP500 valve springs or any valve springs for that matter. A friend of mine is having his HP500 heads done. The engine has in the neighborhood of 250 plus hours and never been torn down before. Procharger carb application. Stock HP 500 cam.

The engine builder checked the springs and said they were within spec so they were not replaced. It seems to me that if they are in spec now that they are not far from going out of spec. Would'nt it be a good idea to go ahead and replace them anyway? When a spring begins to lose tension is it not really a matter of the number of cycles and it eventually will fail? To not replace them, in my mind, just does not make sense.

Lifters and rocker arms will be replaced.

Any thoughts?

OldSchool

You can bet your azz that if I'm having the rest of it done, new springs would go in there as well!! Just my .02

tripps

Maybe 200.00 fornewsprings?? cheap insurance for the most abused item on a mota!! tripps

rmbuilder

BadDog
At 250+ hours it's difficult to find any logic to support that decision by your builder. I would say that it's not a question of if, but when, you will have a spring failure.
Bob

CMG

does this guy know marine engines??

BadDog

These are the exact responses I expected. I am hoping Mike will take a look at these and take the necessary action. Builder in question has done hundreds of marine engines for a rigger in Florida. Many blower motors as well. Does all the motor work for the top truck pullers in this area and many drag cars. I suspect he had a brain fart or something. Even if they did not "need" replaced I would do it for peace of mind. The motor should not need tore down for another 250 hours for the lifters. I would not want to run the springs for 500 hundred hours.

Any other votes for replacement?

KNOT-RIGHT

Valve springs and lifters are not the area to come up short on.
Drop off a set of PSI springs and some isky lifters. He will get the message.

Gerry

fstboater

I like to put in springs any time you have the heads off have you ever seen a piston wearing a valve. The problem with the springs is not loss of tension it is the spring cracking best case reversion worst case blown motor. To cheep to not put them in now valve train takes a ton of abuse.

Johno

New springs or maybe he needs a new engine builder.
It's a no brainer!

Sean H

i change springs every season, cheap insurance especially if your are turning it hard.... the rest of the motor is a tank if you keep it happy.