HP500 Valve springs checked ok, engine builder did not replace?
 

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?

Re: HP500 Valve springs checked ok, engine builder did not replace?
 

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 :drink:

Re: HP500 Valve springs checked ok, engine builder did not replace?
 

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

Re: HP500 Valve springs checked ok, engine builder did not replace?
 

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

Re: HP500 Valve springs checked ok, engine builder did not replace?
 

does this guy know marine engines??

Re: HP500 Valve springs checked ok, engine builder did not replace?
 

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?

Re: HP500 Valve springs checked ok, engine builder did not replace?
 

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

Re: HP500 Valve springs checked ok, engine builder did not replace?
 

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.

Re: HP500 Valve springs checked ok, engine builder did not replace?
 

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

Re: HP500 Valve springs checked ok, engine builder did not replace?
 

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.

Re: HP500 Valve springs checked ok, engine builder did not replace?
 

get new while the heads are apart would be foolish not to spend the few bucks now and now be down for a month in the middle of the season with a dropped valve. just my .02

Re: HP500 Valve springs checked ok, engine builder did not replace?
 

HEY should I change mine ? THIS IS MY 2ND SEASON not running my boat, operations on my knees , no money no boating :( :(

Re: HP500 Valve springs checked ok, engine builder did not replace?
 

if you haven't been running it, you should be fine... how many hours do you have on them?

Re: HP500 Valve springs checked ok, engine builder did not replace?
 

about 25to 30 hours should I pull the distribulor out and prime the motor so oil gets around when I changed the oil that fall I put syn,15 50 mobil and fogged it out? could I get away with turning it over slow to lube it or prime it :confused:

Re: HP500 Valve springs checked ok, engine builder did not replace?
 

I'm due this year, have part numbers for the springs and lifters? Currently running Crane 13532 Lifters and Comp Cams 929 springs. Cam is also crane 139641. Got 250 hours on the motors.

Re: HP500 Valve springs checked ok, engine builder did not replace?
 

Airtime- I see no problem in turning it over on the starter until you get oil pressure. Some folks with a long layup back off all the rocker arms to relieve pressure on the valve springs. An easier way is to just spin the motor to a different position. Cranking to get oil pressure will accomplish both. Also a good time to charge the batteries.

Re: HP500 Valve springs checked ok, engine builder did not replace?
 

If you don't mind i would like to know why so many of you guys are using a comp spring versus matching cam company spring.is it for quality or money?
I notice lost of thread were the comp spring# 929 are used on some cam that do not require such a heavy spring.i.e comp told me that for there XM284HR a 930 was fine.same with crane and there 731 they said #99896 which seem to be a softer sring.just trying to learn from the field,....thank's!

Re: HP500 Valve springs checked ok, engine builder did not replace?
 

When should the valve springs be replaced on 500EFI. I am hearing mixed opinions between 150hrs to 400hrs.whats the deal?

Mark

Re: HP500 Valve springs checked ok, engine builder did not replace?
 

On 500efi I called Merc racing myself and they said to replace them around 250 hours if youu runit very easy. I replaced mine at 270hrs and one inner spring was already broken, my mechanic didn't even see it until he pulled it out, motor ran perfect with it??? but was just a nightmare waiting to happen, thank goodness I caught it intime.

Thus tell this mech to get his head on straight and replace the springs :cool:

WILL