LS6 Valve Springs on SBC Vortec Heads 

Thanks man I really appreciate that! I have alot of cool projects on the go and finally decided to start filming some of it. There is alot of weird info out there so I'm trying to make videos that I wish i had a few years back when I needed info. Please share my videos and hit me up if you need any help or parts for your vortec projects!

@@cuttersperformance Thank you for sharing!!! I just did my first top end rebuilt on my 1970 chevelle crewcab. I used Vortec heads on the 307 bottom end. I have a 350 in the garage and I wanting to use my vortec heads on them with a nice cam - but I don't want to machine the hell out of them. With this information, I can get springs and put a nice cam in it and really go to town! Keep up the content - you actually explain things so that EVERYONE can understand. I am learning all of this and have been lost. There is a guy locally who I met on the SBC board on Facebook and he has been an awesome GURU for me as well! You are right there is not only so much misinformation but also nasty people who get hateful in a second if you don't grasp the concept they are poorly explaining. So, I tip my hat to you - and I will share your content with everyone I can.

I'm going to totally agree with this statement. And I have over 20 years experience building high performance engines, and so I also know what to look for when people make videos about a specific subject. I'm also the type that will call out somebody when they're just trying to get views but don't really know what they're talkin about. While there would be a couple of things I would add, this video is quite good and quite informative, and also explaining things in a clear way for others to understand. I can only imagine who gave it thumbs down. But then again it seems like every good video has thumbs down but nobody comments on why. Anyways this is a very misunderstood subject and very rarely do I see people cover it this clearly. I'm definitely impressed.

I agree that this is an excellent vid. The reason there aren't more views is because these engines are obsolete. LS is the budget build of choice now and the next generation LT has been out for quite awhile now. The LT will replace the LS and will only gain momentum in the coming years.

@@michaeldose2041 I understand what you are saying , but I'm soon to be 72 and I like the Vortec so I don't need all that wiring .I'll run a carb and hei , suits me fine .I don't race anymore .

Glad to hear! Feel free to ask me if you have any more questions on vortec heads or your SBC build

You'll want at least .055" nubs aligning the rocker to the valve tip and atleast .025 clearance from the rocker to the retainer or keepers

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tNVX3W-KHT0.html

That is the New GM part# for the ls6 springs so you should be good man! Stay safe! Cheers

Sometimes, the guides will need a casting clean-up with a sanding roll on a die grinder. Spring should slide on with minimal effort

@@cuttersperformance awesome man! Thanks for the fast response and keep up the awesome work!

Thanks man! I really appreciate that Race on! 🏁

Yes, but you should do the checks shown in the video to be sure. Make sure your valve seals are seated all the way down aswell

I've had good luck with the comp cams roller tip rocker arms Especially with offset locks locks becuase you lose some of the valve tip. Make sure you check your rocker to retainer clearance *See my vortec rocker arm video

Yeah man not hard to do, Use a leak down tester to pressurize the cylinder at TDC, then use a on car head valve spring compressor to push the spring down. Then carefully use a magnet to remove the keepers. *the compressed air hold the valve up* Let me know if that doesn't answer your questions and I can do a video on it Cheers!

The 26915 comp springs are the ones I’m reading about. I have the other part numbers in my tool box for the retainers & whatnot. My question 🙋🏻‍♂️ is which tool would make it easier for removing the springs. I have the spinning star ⭐️ one in my box. I read about another that’s a lower profile, to make the process quicker for the firewall side. I’m in no rush at the moment cause I’m still waiting on parts. Again, I sincerely thank you for sharing your knowledge 💯🏴‍☠️🇺🇸

Did you check what your seal to retainer clearance was? Installed height should be around 1.780 with the .030 keeper and the 787 retainers. Installed at 1.780 a LS6 spring is good till .530 lift

@@cuttersperformance .058 thanks for the reply I'm building a imca I'm thinking.003 on the mains and rods .007 on the side skirt I have a 80 pound pump with oil restrictors for the top end a 7 + 1 oil pan any wisdom would help thanks again

Yes you can

Comp cams 1417-16 work well

Yeah, they are super hard to see when probably installed

Summit racing part# SUM-174003-4

@@cuttersperformance The Howards 93010 are JUNK...!!!! They are so wavy that I only get .010 offset. They don't sit in between the valve and retainer smooth and tight. Going to try the Summit ones

Awesome man! They are the best head for the money

They are an aftermarket casting, not a reconditioned factory casting. I believe they are made by Dart.

Send me a email Patobrien31@outlook.com I have special offset retainers and valve seals that allow .530 lift with stock keepers. Ls6 springs would work as long as you don't have alot of duration

Hey Geoff! I've broken in lots of flat tappet cams with those springs with no issues. Lots of break in lube on the cam and lifters, break in oil and proper break in procedure and you'll be golden!

Ive got the 395 cam and LS6 valve springs. This combo works great, no need to modify the casting to fit Z28 springs

Check out this video aswell, no machiene work done to the heads. I ran the similar LT4 hotcam recently with this setup, worked great with the ls6 equivalent summit springs up 6200 rpm all day. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-UZosxGQyGMs.html

I really appreciate that man! Shoot me a email with your mailing address if you would like a PCP keychain Pcperformance1@outlook.com

​@@cuttersperformanceI would love a PCP key chain!!! I have suggested (on many, many forums) to people who are doing vortec heads that they should look up PISS-CUTTER PERFORMANCE on RU-vid, now you changed your name... And can we get some new vids???

Yeah, you can typically use a roller tip rockers with factory valves and offset keepers. The exhaust valve is no problem as the tip is longer, but the intake valve you have to check for clearance

The LS6 springs are designed for a Hydraulic roller cam. They work with stock to mild Hydraulic roller cams and Ive used them with flat tappet cams aswell

I dial indicator would work if you have one. They also make special spring pocket dial indicators for checking spring height. But this way works great for most people with basic tools at home, and after the first spring its easy to quickly check the rest

Crate motor, it probably has the later Mexico made vortec heads, not nearly as good as the made in the US ones.

Yes you can but you the offset keeper installs the spring at the proper height aswell

I have two brother use it weekly! This is just a ole school way for guys to do it at home without buying one. Works well actually

Shoot me a email at pcperformance1@outlook.com

Wow appreciate that man, thank you

Glad to hear! I will be getting more stock on keepers and valve seals soon if your interested Cheers!

​@@cuttersperformance One more question: Since the stock self-aligning rockers are a no-go with the offset keepers, what is your recommended rocker? Thanks again for channel.

@@mikevosper5604 did you end up finding the recommended rocker ?

@@adancortes3568 looking for rockers for this set up as well

They can be if done correctly. Only really needed if open pressure exceeds 300 to 325 lbs

Yeah, you can just gotta watch for clearance at the push rod to head and retainer to rocker arm if using offset retainers

Yes you can, ive done it. Just follow proper break-in if the can is new

Just about everything can change the pushrod length, but if your going with vortecs on a roller block then the factory pushrods of 7.200 should be close. You will not know for sure until you assemble everything and check the pattern on the valve tip

@@cuttersperformance thank you!

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tNVX3W-KHT0.html

That is correct Some guys grind the bottom of the stock retainers, but not something I like to play with. Stock springs are very weak I put beehives on every set of vortecs ive done 6000+ rpm and .550 lift no problem with the right springs

I will be getting more stock soon if your interested in some keepers and valve seals for vortecs

Thats the scary part, some dont come out nicely and and some do. Some come out very easily haha

What size are your guide bosses? A ls6 spring will typically fit perfect over a clean stock guide. i have has a few sets that ive has to take a sanding roll to clean up the guide a bit more for them to fit. As for you new springs if the outside pocket holds them then you should should be ok. A normal spring locator has about .010 clearance. Cheers!

@@cuttersperformance they range in size from .854 to .857 the springs i got from summit are around .855 id i ordered the other set of howards cams they are .900 id and seem to fit ok just a little wiggle room between them and the bosses but the lip around the outside of the spring pocket holds them in place pretty well. Thanks.

Roller tips?!

No the 787-16 retainers must be used with the beehives

I will be doing a video in the next week or so (just waiting for parts) on our valve spring setup for a .525 lift for a LT4 hotcam and roller tip rockers. Should help answer some questions for you

@@cuttersperformance I sent u a email with some pics and a vid. Hopefully you get it . Take care

Always a good idea! Cheers! For those who have press in studs, check out my video

I like the comp cams ls6+ springs for flat tappet or mild roller cams

@@cuttersperformance great thanks, Yes I have flat tappet

Just sent you a email

@@cuttersperformance thanks again Pat

Are you in a huge rush for the seals? I usually stock the viton seals for vortecs heads (stock guides) but im currently sold out. They will not give you much different clearance than the stock seals that are seated all the way down but they are better seals and easier to install than the steel shell oe ones

@@cuttersperformance I’m rebuilding a set and was just curious about them, I’m doing everything your recommended here in the video, thank you for the great video!

Not sure why they dont list them but they sure do work 👍

@@cuttersperformance Awesome thank you very much for this video sir! Hella help!

I will post a newer video that explain things a bit more in depth. The stock springs aren't too good much past the factory lift of .420 to .430 with a mild roller. You can push them to around .460 with a mild flat tappet

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tNVX3W-KHT0.html

@@cuttersperformance You're the best!

This was is usually cheaper as you typically have to buy these parts anyway when upgrading cams

@@cuttersperformance thanks man. I’m gonna go to my shop next week with this info. Have my heads done this way and add 1.60 exhaust valves

The stock springs are fairly weak about 80 lbs on the seat (new) but actually work well if your running a flat tappet cam. .450 is the max lift for the stock springs

Thank you for the info

+.050 offset keepers. All the part numbers should be in the video. If not, let me know what you need

I didn’t see a part number for the keepers. What size valve stem are they?

These springs work with flat tappet cams and mild roller cams, ive used them at 6500 rpm no problem with a 1.94 valve

@@cuttersperformance would the offset keepers work good to?

@@logicalspark3496 yeah you need them to get the 1.800 installed height

@@cuttersperformance does it still make power at that high of an rpm.

@@logicalspark3496 yeah depending on cam

Yeah, you can pin the studs

@PISS-CUTTER Performance hey Pat great videos all of them. I got question. How can I tell what springs I have on these alum heads I purchased used but nice

Yeah, I've done flat tappets several times with the LS6 springs