Mild springs for Edelbrock head

[GASnBRASS]

I see that the spring specs for the edelbrock performer head are pretty stout. They show it using edelbrock 5814 springs which are rated 100lbs at seat and 240lbs at .400 lift. Is there another choice for milder springs for this head?

[Russ Pottenger]

The seat material on the Edelbrock head is made out of some pretty hard material.

You definitely don't want to lower the seat pressure.
If you do what will happen is the exhaust valve will have a tendency to want to bounce on the seat.
Heat gets drawn out of the exhaust valve when it is in contact with the seat. That's the primary cause of exhaust valves and its seat getting pounded out

[GASnBRASS]

Is the bouncing typically just at high rpm's? My main concern is I don't want excessive cam lobe wear from high spring rates, and it seems several others have had the same concern about these springs. I'm only running .430 lift and rpm's under 4000. One suggestion was the 5813 springs.

[Russ Pottenger]

If you're running the proper oil or additives 250 lbs of spring pressure shouldn't take out your cam.

[GASnBRASS]

Just got my Edelbrock head today and noticed they have a dual valve spring setup. Is there any long term issue with removing the inner spring and just running the outer valve spring? How about just during cam break-in?

[Russ Pottenger]

Is it a dual spring or a single with a inner flat wire?

[GASnBRASS]

It's a coil outer spring with a flat inner spring. And what tool are people using to compress and remove the valve spring when the head is installed? (I'll be using compressed air in the cyl to keep the valves shut)

[Russ Pottenger]

That is still considered to be a single spring.

That flat wire is intended and designed to help reduce the harmonics in the valve spring. It doesn't have any affect on the spring pressure.

I'd recommend leaving that valve spring in and go through the normal camshaft break-in procedure with eather a ZZDP oil additive in a petroleum based oil, or any of the purpose made break-in oils.
A ARP 146-3601 or equivalent head bolt kit should also be used.

[GASnBRASS]

Thanks for your help, I guess I'll leave those springs in place. I have those ARP head bolts and will be using some Brad Penn break in oil with plenty of crane camshaft grease. It's my first new flat tappet cam and can't afford any more failures or setbacks in this project.