New springs with old cam

[bucket]

I won't get into the details of why... but I need to stick a 454 in my Burb soon, with the original TBI and stock cam. Would it be alright to install new valve springs for a mild cam, anticipating a cam swap in the future? I'm worried about wiping a lobe these days, but it sure is a lot easier installing springs when the heads are still off.

 

[HotRodPC]

I'd see no reason why not so long as your not going with overly strong springs. It woudln't be any different than putting new heads on a used cam shortblock motor.

 

[bucket]

Without looking, I don't remember the specs of the springs, but I did pick them out based on a relatively mild hydro roller cam. It will be peachy if they don't kill the used stock flat tappets.

 

[HotRodPC]

You're talking big block anyway, so I'd say you're OK. I'd be a little more concerned if it were SBC, cuz the SBC, the OEM springs don't have as wide of a tolerance so for anything over a mild cam you're about sure to have strong dual springs. The BBC the single springs have a wider spectrum. IIRC, you can run a OEM up to almost .540 lift on the a single spring. You won't be doing that on a SBC or you'd float your valves in a quick hurry. I think floating valves would actually be worse on cam wear than a heavy spring.

 

[bucket]

They are single springs with a light damper spring in the middle. I chose them because they clear the big umbrella seal on the guides. I fully intend to swap in the cam I wanted to run in the first place, but it won't be until next summer probably. I need the motor in the truck like yesterday, so stock cam it is for now. It's the motor I was building for my '77 K5. My wife wants me to put it in the Burb, then for the K5 I'll build the 454 I'm supposed to go get from Towjoe.

 

[HotRodPC]

They are single springs with a light damper spring in the middle. I chose them because they clear the big umbrella seal on the guides. I fully intend to swap in the cam I wanted to run in the first place, but it won't be until next summer probably. I need the motor in the truck like yesterday, so stock cam it is for now. It's the motor I was building for my '77 K5. My wife wants me to put it in the Burb, then for the K5 I'll build the 454 I'm supposed to go get from Towjoe.

I think you'll be just fine. Dampners really aren't spring tension on the valves.

 

[MrMarty51]

Cam and lifters is already work hardened, so it should`nt hurt a thing.

 

[bucket]

I guess I'm worry free then. As long as the lifters all go back in the same place of course. I pulled them all a couple years ago and placed them in order in a tray, hopefully nobody moved them on me. It looks like no one has disturbed them though.