I just spent $3k+ getting a new shortblock and the last thing I need is to drop a valve....

My car only has 8-9k total miles on it with about 2000-2500 racing miles..... when the head was off for the shortblock install they said it looked fine.... I am just trying to be smart so i don't have any issues with anything......

Do the stock valves, retainers, etc... (i have no idea what the hell all of this shit does) last pretty long? You guys with 50k miles on your cars with lots of track miles ever replace your retainers, etc....

 

inspect the retainers to see if the keeper is sliding down

 

Scot,

I'd definitely replace the retainers with Ti. That's the only failure we've ever had on a stock valvetrain with Karner's car. Its cheap insurance against an expensive failure.

UL

 

Oh no!

I was reminded again...............

 

UL: I've heard from numerous other automotive communities that Ti retainers can gall and distort, as well as crack w/ time. Have you found this to be the case? What are your opinions on the galling of Ti retainers? Thanks.

 

Never seen it myself. I ran them for over 30k miles on a street car with no issues. Talk to any good head guy and they'll tell you it just isn't a problem these days what with modern alloys and the relatively small side/rotational forces imposed on a retainer.

UL

 

since I am not 100% sure the Ti retainers are legal i ordered OEM honda retainers / keepers and will have them installed in about a week (hopefully)...... getting my valves adjusted at the same time.

thanks for the help everyone.