The car is not ok. Using the car will damage the valve stem.

If you keep the RPMs low and go easy, you MIGHT be ok.

 

Damn ok. Yeah I have to make one more drI've with it for work but them I'll be good to park it until Monday


thanks man I appreciate the quick feedback

 

Is anyone able to explain the difference in the two keepers, how they work and why it would be bad? I really would like to learn this

 

I did above. The taper angle is 1 degree difference.

In your case, the difference in surface contact is reduced from 100% to 10% or even less. The concentrated contact will deform the valve stem.

This is 13 year old news. There is even an article/publication from Honda about the damage in the event of keeper mismatch.

 

more information to make me paranoid.

i suppose, in the event of keeper mismatch, we would see the valve drop and make contact with the piston and lose compression?

how many miles would you guess we would start seeing low compression issues as a result of this, and also, is there a way to visually inspect to make sure we have ap2 keepers?

 

If you drop a valve that's it for the engine, immediately pretty much.

 

You wont see symptoms, or low compression. You'll see an immediate broken engine due to a broken valve tip. There will be no warning.

Just use AP2 cotters with AP2 retainers.

 

Ok, ripped it back apart, and this time I noticed something that worried me. Here's a pic. It's on the very end, past the #5 cam cap, it doesn't really look new... is this common/normal? The cams seem fine. No wear. (I know the oil is dark I'm changing it that's what strated this whole project)

 

yea, problem is i upgraded to ap2 retainers in 2004. i can't remember if i ordered ap2 keepers as well, but i probably did.

since that time, i've had my head worked on to replace valve guides and would not know if the head shop replaced any keepers with ap1 thinking i have an ap1 head...that's just my paranoia.