I think if the motor was over-revved at least 70k miles ago (prior to you owning the car) and it was enough to crack retainers they would be very obvious by now with a further 70k+ miles on them. You probably would have dropped a valve already. Before you throw money at them get some more opinions as the pics don't show much. Definitely wait for Billman250 to chime in.

 

you don't need to be a mechanic to replace your intake retainers. you sure as hell shouldn't spend $500 on it.

you can buy the parts for around $80

as far as tools all you really need is an overhead valve spring compressor, 30$ from amazon.com

an air compressor with a spark plug adapter will make it easier when you need to support the valve with the keepers out but you can always move the cylinder to TDC to support it.

i did mine by myself following the DIY on this site. the hardest part was getting the cams back in timing but now that I look back at it, i wasn't paying attention enough.

 

those look like exhaust springs, which shouldn't have any issues...the intake springs are yellow, while exhaust springs are green paint.

just my 2 cents.

darcy

 

they are exhaust springs. Thats why I want billman to attend this convo. You can see the wall of the retainer, they arn't flush. Which would indicate a cracked retainer correct?

 

I was under the impression that only AP1 intake retainers crack from overrev. You'd break other stuff from valve float before you'll crack the exhaust retainers.

 

That is an Ap1 retainer correct? The pic is too blurry to tell anything.

 

Yes Billman ap1 retainers. Sorry about this crappy pics

 

If they look like this I would say: no problem.

 

That first pic sure looks like a broken retainer, but its too blurry to be sure. Just take a better pic. Even todays cell phones have a "flower" setting that lets you get detailed up close pics.

 

So you're willing to spend $2000 to rebuild your shocks, and $600 on a rear swaybar, but not ~$150 to replace a few retainers for a few months.

Sigh.