Anybody try valve spring oilers on a SBC?

[JoePorting]

Just wanted to know if valve spring oilers work on a SBC. It would probably be hard to measure there effectiveness, but I thought I would ask to see what kind of experience people had with them.

[Krooser]

The ones I've seen are intergral with the valve covers.

[JoePorting]

Yes, that's what I'm talking about. I'm going to be making a new cast valve cover for my new heads and was thinking about adding them on to the valve covers as an option. These valve covers are going to be .650" wider than stock and have 10 bolt holes to them.

[jacksoni]

Other than the work and money, doesn't seem like would hurt. I had them on my SB2.2 headed LSR engine. the first springs in it, Manley Nextec triples survived an episode where popped out of gear at about 8000 foot on the floor, went over 12K am pretty sure. My head guy said they were good to go but I replaced anyway. The engine routinely was shifted over 97-9800 and was 9-9600 for over a mile at Bonneville. Never lost any spring pressure I could tell though broke the tips off a few.

[Olds455]

Most of what I've seen are adapters. That go between the head and valve cover, like these posted at the following link

https://www.cpperformance.com/p-100245- ... ystem.aspx

[Walter R. Malik]

NASCAR engine builders used them for about 20 years ... from around 1980 till the 18 degree stuff was not used anymore in that venue.
Road Race guys and a lot of local oval track guys still use them all the time.
Probably won't help a drag racer engine much.

[BlitzA64]

I have used them in circle track stuff to help cool the springs.....

[JoePorting]

I notice with sb2 and R07 heads that the oil return holes are about one inch above the exhaust springs meaning they are submerged in oil.

[swampbuggy]

JoePorting, what is your application for the engine, how much WOT will the engine see ? Mark H.

[JoePorting]

I'm making a general performance cylinder head top end kit for an SBC that will be for sale to the general public, so it's up to them to decide the application.

[Kevin Johnson]

I know it is being done -- make sure the recommendations come complete with caveats, if any, about the valve stem seals that need to be used.

[nwticerider]

That spacer above looks like a great and simple addition.

Does anyone have a rule of thumb of when this kind of system should be considered? Is the spring pressure the main reason or the rpm?

Custom 390 SBC
Comp 986 dual spring Seat load: 132lbs @1.750'' Open load: 293lbs @1.250''

On a river jet boat we may go for extended runs 30 min at close to wot. Although the rpm is only around 5000 rpm it stays there until the gas gets low. LOL
The oil definately gets warm so I have a big cooler.

I was considering it because I would like the $20,000.00 CAD engine to last as long as possible. 500+ hrs.posting.php?mode=smilies&f=1#

[Roundybout]

Valve springs produce a tremendous amount of heat, even after a short run. Anything you can do to help cool them will prolong their life and help durability. Possibly can get away with using less spring rate as well as they are not losing rate due to heating of the spring material. I like the idea of an adapter between the head and valve cover approach. Makes plumbing them easier. You can transfer it from engine to engine and also control how much oil and where the oil is getting to the springs.