I'm going to replace the intake retainers and keepers with AP2. Question: While I've got the the cams and rollers off, are there any other parts to replace for good measure? Springs, any seals? My engine has 53K miles on it now. I'll be FI by summer.

Thanks

 

Actually, I thought we were looking at the sunken keeper and also the fact that the tip of the valve stem sits lower with respect to the retainer on the bad one.

I don't think you'd easily be able to tell if the retainer was flat if you were inspecting them while they were in the car.

 

You are correct.

Look at the keepers on the right; They are obviously sitting lower in the retainer than is the case on the left.

 

Yes, you are right and the other "answer" was incorrect.

Look carefully at the cotters (the two half-circle shaped parts that hold the stem and keeper together). In the good one the cotters are high up, but in the bad one they have sunk down into the keeper. That's what you are looking for.

 

Thanks guys, I see it now.

I presume it's very difficult to tell without taking them out?

 

Not really. If you have the valve cover off you can get a pretty good look at them.

 

I wouldn't say he's totally incorrect, though. From the pictures I've seen that show the other side of a cracked retainer, it seems that the way that the retainers crack should allow the retainer to bow like that a bit. But, that's definitely not as easily identifiable as the other symptoms.

 

It's incorrect in the context of the question, which was "What do you look for?"

 

The curve in the retainer you will not see, unless it's out.

The sunken keepers is what to look for. Very evedent in the pic.

 

Sorry, didn't see this. Exactly