150k miles tracked to hell AP1 retainers
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 29,896
Likes: 5,435
From: Ontario Canada
Junky seems to be saying the only proper inspection involves removing the retainers to look at the bottom. If I went to that extent, I would probably just change them to ap2.
I've inspected mine recently from the top. I will inspect them from the top periodically - maybe every 30K miles or so. My take is that as long as all looks well from the top, no observable issues or changes, and I have no incidents, then I'm good to go.
I recall Billman addressing this somewhere here. My memory is he favors leaving well enough alone with the ap1 retainers unless you can see something happening from the top. I can see both sides of the debate, but I'm not going to mess with mine unless something happens. I will do a VA and check them from the top fairly frequently. My general rule is that if it ain't broke, best not to fix it.
I've inspected mine recently from the top. I will inspect them from the top periodically - maybe every 30K miles or so. My take is that as long as all looks well from the top, no observable issues or changes, and I have no incidents, then I'm good to go.
I recall Billman addressing this somewhere here. My memory is he favors leaving well enough alone with the ap1 retainers unless you can see something happening from the top. I can see both sides of the debate, but I'm not going to mess with mine unless something happens. I will do a VA and check them from the top fairly frequently. My general rule is that if it ain't broke, best not to fix it.
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,734
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160k here, I was changing my valve stem seals none of them were cracked, was going to put them back on but one of the retainers got sent to the nether realm by the valve spring, so I just put in the AP2 ones I bought to replace the set if any were cracked.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 65
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From: Savannah
I inspected them for sinking valve stems last valve adjustment, and will probably inspect every valve adjustment or anytime I have the valve cover off. I rarely even come close to redline in my car though lol.
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 29,896
Likes: 5,435
From: Ontario Canada
that's correct, you can bounce off the rev limiter under acceleration all you want and it won't crack the retainers, it only happens under mechanical over-rev which happens on missed downshifts, and where revs start approaching 9700 rpms give or take est.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 210
Likes: 9
From: Sydney
1) wow that corvette is loud
2 wow your forearms are RIPPED!
