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Finally about to get TrickFlow 240s. A question about spring options...

biomedtechguy

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Since I've decided to go with the TrickFlow 240s on my future stroker motor, I have decided to get them real soon and put them on my current 440. I already have "new" Comp Cams springs, 10° locks, and retainers on my 452 heads that work great.
What I'm thinking about doing is ordering the heads with the springs that I will use for the stroker motor and putting the springs, locks and retainers from my 452s on the TrickFlow heads when I have my local engine builder check the TrickFlow heads out for "ready to go" status.
Opinions?
Thanks
 
Biomed, just me but I would leave the 240's alone other than getting them disassembled and clearance checked including the existing valve job. just my 2 cents.
 
The components on the trick flows are good pieces. I wouldn't mess with them, other than to check them.
 
I appreciate the replies. I know my current Comp Cams springs, locks, and retainers work great with my cam and lifters.
My thoughts are that I can get the appropriate springs locks and retainers for my future stroker motor as part of my TrickFlow head order, they are going to be disassembled in the process of checking them anyway, and I can have the shop make the swap then to my existing springs, locks and retainers that I KNOW work well with my motor and cam, saving the new parts for when I install the heads on my stroker motor.
Does that change your suggestions?
 
I would order the trickflows with what you want for your current motor. You'd likely spend as much to have them reshimmed on the new heads as it costs to replace them.
 
452's, 3/8 valve stems? So new locks to go with the 11/32 Trick Flow valves? Trick Flow springs are set up at 2.00" installed height. What installed height on the 452 heads? I'm guessing new locators and .120" worth of shims to put the 452 springs on the TF240 heads? Quit being cheap.
 
452's, 3/8 valve stems? So new locks to go with the 11/32 Trick Flow valves? Trick Flow springs are set up at 2.00" installed height. What installed height on the 452 heads? I'm guessing new locators and .120" worth of shims to put the 452 springs on the TF240 heads? Quit being cheap.
Lol! Not cheap-UNINFORMED until your post...I didn't realize the valve stems were a different diameter, I assume the springs on the 452s (which I had my local engine builder install for me) are a different installed height as well, thus the shim reference from the replies.
No more replies needed! The :lowdown:IQ52 has spoken! Thanks Jim! and thanks to all who replied, now I better understand what/why you all were getting at.
 
You're looking for answers, he calls you cheap, and you praise him.
#mindblown.
 
You're looking for answers, he calls you cheap, and you praise him.
#mindblown.
Lol. Like I said, lack of knowledge on my part. As long as Jim gives me his sage advice, he can call me whatever...
He is a friend.
By the way, I post here in the Racer's Forum where I may well be the least experienced poster, but I won't learn how to fly like an eagle if I hang out with turkeys. Thanks to all of you for your patience and advice.
 
I’m no source for advice. I do know We used the Trick Flow springs and hardware. Went through everything as well. With the 270s we did need different head bolt/ studs and different pushrods than used with the Stealth heads.
 
You're looking for answers, he calls you cheap, and you praise him.
#mindblown.
Yep, sounds weird doesn't it? However, even though we live on opposite coasts, we have a closer relationship than the rest of the forum knows about.
 
As previously stated, the locks need to match the stem diameter & the springs need to match the installed height, closed/open pressures for the cam & rpm range and spring diameter and solid height.
 
If I was going to use 240 heads on a future 440 stroker with a hydraulic roller, and run them on a 440 with a 509 hydraulic flat tappet now, I would get the TFS-61617802-C00 heads. Then I would modify them by using 440 Source valve spring cups part # 200-1066 ($40) with a Comp Cams .060" shim 4762-16 ($10) under the cup. Now go with Edelbrock valve springs 5792 ($102). The 5792 springs are the same ones used on the Edelbrock RPM 440 heads and there should be thousands of unused take-offs laying around. I would re-use the original steel retainers and locks from the 240 heads. Done, ready to go.

If I was going solid roller I'd pick the TFS-6161T783-C00. Again I would use the 440 Source spring cups, the Comp .060" shims, the 5792 springs. Then I would reuse the 240 titanium retainers with Comp Cams 630-16 -.050" valve locks ($31). And done once more.

Yes......I did check to make sure the inside and outside spring diameters would work with the spring cups and retainers suggested.

If you select the TF240 set up for hydraulic flat tappet to start with, you will spend $312 just for the springs and retainers to upgrade to the hydraulic roller, or $610 for the springs and retainers for the solid roller.
 
Last edited:
These are the CompCams springs, locks, and retainers part numbers that I have installed on my 452 heads and the purple stripe flat tappet cam that I and others "believe" is the 292°/.509 cam:
911-16 springs, 748-16 10° 1.550" OD .710" ID retainers and the matching locks
 
If I was going solid roller I'd pick the TFS-6161T783-C00. Again I would use the 440 Source spring cups, the Comp .060" shims, the 5792 springs. Then I would reuse the 240 titanium retainers with Comp Cams 630-16 -.050" valve locks ($31).
So by following these directions, and making those changes you list, the TF heads with the parts you listed will work with my current cam and hydraulic flat tappet lifters, and then when I install the heads with the springs, locks, and retainers that come installed from TF on the TFS-6161T783-C00 heads, I will be ready to go with the stroker and a solid roller cam??
Also I'm gathering that you are recommending a solid roller cam for my 6bbl stroker, right?
I don't quite understand what you mean by:
The 5792 springs are the same ones used on the Edelbrock RPM 440 heads and there should be thousands of unused take-offs laying around.
You said they were $102, but it seems like "unused take-offs laying around" should mean lots of new ones available really cheap. I'm confused :realcrazy: and slow on the uptake...
 
Nothing but good news, you can use the 911-16 springs you already have as a substitute for the 5792. The 748-16 retainers will also work. You will still need the 440 Source locators (200-1066 $40), the Comp .060" shims (4752-16 $10) and the Comp -.050" locks (630-16 $31). But that means you can put the springs, locators, titanium retainers and the locks off the TFS-6161T783-C00 heads on the shelf, and save them all for your solid roller stroker build.

Heck, you can economically do exactly as you asked in your first post. Seems like you can go cheap, my apologies!
 
Thanks IQ52, sounds like you put some time into researching all those springs, retainers, and such.
 
you can economically do exactly as you asked in your first post. Seems like you can exercise financial efficiency, my apologies!
Edited-because it sounds better!
Jim, I wouldn't have had a clue without you.
Thank you so much for your help!
:lowdown: IQ52
:)
 
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