2 weeks ago, I bought an AP1 with 65000 miles on it and I plan to track it from times to times. I am planning to open the valve cover to check if the retainers are cracked and to check/adjust the valve clearance. I don't know if the valve retainers have been upgraded. Is there a way to recognize AP2 retainers from AP1's ? I guess the answer will be "no", but just in case...

Anything else I should check while the valve cover is open? (I have a fast pace and regular clicking noise when the engine is warm, which I interpret as a normal operation of the engine, anything I should check?)

 

go here and read the whole thread re: retainers. Yes, you can tell the difference.


https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/442...r/page__st__25

good luck

 

A really bad retainer will walk up high enough to contact the roller rocker. It will grind away metal off the retainer, and etch away the camshaft. so if you find broken retainers, look for this as well.

 

Im not too sure what the correct term is, but to me Ap2 retainers have a larger exposed angled "wall" vs the ap1s. I had my retainers swapped out, the stock ap1 is on the left, ap2 retainer on the right. With all the opinions on which retainers to use and which side to change (some say intake only, others say both intake/exhaust) I decided to swap both intake and exhast retainers with OEM honda retainers/cotters(OEM Honda UKDM/JDM F20 motors use ap2 retainers on both intake/exhaust). I had the local trusted s2k mechanic work on my car and it turned out great.

 

Somewhere around a year ago I bought a set of F22 retainers & cotters for my (spare) F20 head.
I did not find any etched markings on the cotter or any dimples on the retainer.
They were shipped from CFL Honda.
The difference in angle ratio between the 2 types was clear to see though.

 

I found the same as spitfireS, there were no laser etch marks on my retainers but the difference in angle ratio was quite noticeable.

 

could you give me the service bulletin number, or link me the bulleting directly?

thanks a lot