BajaRunner

2 more things. I ordered the springs today.

1. do i need anything else, besides new gaskets for the valve covers.

2. whats the best way to set the rockers back?

Lmarth

Personally,I would never reuse the little valve keepers. For what it's worth...

hillbilly24

Hate to be the party crasher but if you are doign the 200 hour valve spring change you realy should change the had gaskets too. I've pulle plenty that were on the brink of burning through ussually betwen the center two cylinders on either bank. It's still a do it your self job, just a little bigger one.

jdnca1

Did mine in about 2hrs in the boat with headers on, that was on old 632" with Jesel rockers. Worst part is getting the locks back on. Oh yeah, and compressing 330# of seat pressure with that set of springs

GETTINBYE

Late model HP 500s use a O ring type of valve cover gasket. They are reusable or at least mine were and no leaks yet.

I was a little leary about just applying air pressure to the cylinder and chaning the springs. After much thought I came up with this plan. I started by rotating # 1 piston to TDC. Applied air pressure (approx. 110-120lbs). Never moved any of the pistons this way either. Replaced both intake and exhaust springs. Since piston at TDC good time to adjust the rockers. Take them to zero lash then down 1 turn. Done with # one cylinder start to finish. Rotate crank by hand with a wrench 90* then follow the same procedure going one cylinder at a time thru the firing order 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Nice easy fairly quick etc.

If using the Comp Cams 929-16 springs set them at 1.88" installed height.

Worked for me.

Mark

BajaRunner

ok, it looks like ill do the head gaskets as well.

does anyone have which head gaskets to get and which valve locks to get when replacing the springs?

5PMSMWHR

pm axapowell he just did his in his slip on his 353 fastech less than 2 months ago. weren't blowed up by the end of the season so they must be right.

carney

You don't have to pull the heads to change. everyone above is on the right track. go to auto store and buy a spring tool that compresses and holdes the spring , change the springs and the caps and keepers. set lash at one turn. make sure you torque the locks the right way, you will thinkthat they are not tight enough and tighten more and crack one . then some day when you are 5000 rpm on the lake you get a ticking noise guess what lock broke keeper fell off and motor runs like s--t and your mood changes.

JaayTeee

If your in it that far,
You may want to think about replacing the lifters.

Especially, if you find any broken springs.

I've been witness to more than one of these
failures

BajaRunner

I added those to the list.

I just got a quote to do both engines. $2500 parts and labor, and that includes milling the heads, but not a valve job.