Glamour Shots.. '62 Valiant Wagon
4/12/24:
Well, I finally moved the car off of the lift. mainly because it has 4 wheels connected to axles and spindles again, and I had broken stuff to fix on my XJ Jeep that the lift made easier work of the job.
I sent the cylinder head to the machine shop 2 weeks ago to get the spring pockets cut down just a little bit, as I was trying to equalize the valve spring pressures for the seat and open. Since this is a second or 3rd hand head it has had work done to it before. I got some Speedway small block Chevy springs, so it needed a spring locator in the spring pocket to keep the springs from flailing around as the springs are quite a bit smaller on the I.D. compared to MoPar Slant 6 / LA valve springs. So that means all different retainers and locks too.
I fussed around off and on for seemingly months to get the correct combination of parts to make these valves, springs, locks, etc work correctly with each other. I also had trouble because my valve spering micrometer was for larger valve spring retainers and it was difficult to get an accurate measurement for the installed heights.
I got a PAC Racing spring height micrometer T-904. It's meant for LS engines but it works with these little SBC retainers too, It's pricey but the height measurements will be "dead nuts on correct".
My "el cheapo micrometer" "fell short" due to the retainer diameter being small.
I made some shims for it but they turned out to be garbage as well.
The PAC Micrometer is tiny but works well for the small OD Retainers.
Phew! Finally! Ready for studs, temp sending unit, paint, and put this head in the car to hang some headers and build the rest of the exhaust!
4/12/24:
Well, I finally moved the car off of the lift. mainly because it has 4 wheels connected to axles and spindles again, and I had broken stuff to fix on my XJ Jeep that the lift made easier work of the job.
I sent the cylinder head to the machine shop 2 weeks ago to get the spring pockets cut down just a little bit, as I was trying to equalize the valve spring pressures for the seat and open. Since this is a second or 3rd hand head it has had work done to it before. I got some Speedway small block Chevy springs, so it needed a spring locator in the spring pocket to keep the springs from flailing around as the springs are quite a bit smaller on the I.D. compared to MoPar Slant 6 / LA valve springs. So that means all different retainers and locks too.
I fussed around off and on for seemingly months to get the correct combination of parts to make these valves, springs, locks, etc work correctly with each other. I also had trouble because my valve spering micrometer was for larger valve spring retainers and it was difficult to get an accurate measurement for the installed heights.
I got a PAC Racing spring height micrometer T-904. It's meant for LS engines but it works with these little SBC retainers too, It's pricey but the height measurements will be "dead nuts on correct".
My "el cheapo micrometer" "fell short" due to the retainer diameter being small.
I made some shims for it but they turned out to be garbage as well.
The PAC Micrometer is tiny but works well for the small OD Retainers.
Phew! Finally! Ready for studs, temp sending unit, paint, and put this head in the car to hang some headers and build the rest of the exhaust!