Okay guys let me plug in some information here. First of all I'm not sure if the above poster really had AP2 retainers because he says that Honda told him its the same part number.

I spoke with hardtopguy about this recently. Take it for what you want, but he (along with Billman) is one of the well respected names in the s2ki community. He says that Honda did NOT change the part numbers. He says that you can still order AP1 and AP2 retainers. This is why he does not think they are an upgrade. He says you cannot order an AP1 diff housing anymore, they have upgraded them to AP2 for all orders. He says they would have done the same with the AP2 retainers if they were indeed an answer to the problem. Regardless, this shows that if they above poster, fireball, is saying they told him they replaced them with AP2 part numbers, then there is a chance he did not actually get the right retainers. Besides that, Billman spotted them as AP1 retainers from the pics, and he should know as well as anyone.

I think the jury is still out on this one. I wish Billman and hardtopguy did not have differing opinions . . . it makes it tough for us little guys to understand something when two of the big names say different opinions on the subject.

 

2.0 uses the above pictured retainers. If they are AP2, then they are for a AP2/2.0L.

2.2 uses and upgraded retainer, with an all new part number (14765-PRB-A01). I'll post a picture later today.

2.2 cotter (14781-PCX-004)

These are the FACTS

Stay tuned for pics...

Today is finally the day I pull my valve cover after 40k miles of thrashing. Stay tuned for that as well...

 

It was never an opinion

Just to add....anything I post in UTH is FACT, from what I gather working on different s2ks on almost a daily basis. I will never comment on what I've read (like from parts sites or what others have written) unless I have had the first hand experience.

If it's an opinion or theory, I will always specify.

 

Thanks Billman. You and Hardtopguy (Jeff) are where I get most of my beliefs on the s2000 from . . . so I just meant it was confusing when two of the greatest s2000 minds said different things. All in all, I hope you know how much we value your opinion and posts. Now that Xviper is gone, you are one of the few trusted resources we have left who posts on the boards.

That being so, please let us know what you find on your car when you pull the cover, we are all interested. If I remember right, your car see's a lot of thrashing, drifts, et cetera. We'd love to know how your valves, diff, etc end up holding up. I've always theorized the driver and their technique had more to do with failures than the actual parts.

 

As per spitfire I'll keep it IC (internationally correct)

Any customer of mine that has cracked retainers gets F22 retainers on the intakes only. Maybe me too...goin to pull my cover.

F22 retainer on left, F20 retainer on right. The distinct visual difference is the angled margin. Note the F20 has no margin, just a sharp edge.


Here's a side pic. I won't even tell you guys which is which, because it is so obvious. The F22 retainer has substantial walls and is much stronger.

 

Yes and yes. But if you go to the trouble to have them cryo'd, also get them REM treated.

 

Just checked...all my retainers were good. Adjusted one intake valve from .009 to .008.

VA settings have held for 65k miles. I'm at 75k now.

 

Just pulled the cover and looked for recessed keepers.

 

billman,

what is the reason why the f22 retainers are only for the intake side?

is the exhaust retainers f22 not compatible for f20, or identical, or what is the reason?

Thanks,

 

I could be wrong, so wait for bill to be sure, but I believe it is only the intake side that crack this way . . . if the exhaust side crack the pistsons have already touched and you have bigger problems than retainers.