Retainer???

[thinker]

I have broke the center out of two titanium retainers in the last 7 races. Retainers were new 20 races ago. Valve then drops. Any ideas what is breaking retainers?

[sj valley dave]

What degree retainer...7*, Super 7, 10*...What brand? We only have used Crower and Del West..What is your spring rate?

[perfconn]

Never center punched the center out of but one titanium retainer.It was a Del West Super 7 and it was because the driver over revved it.

[Matt49]

Shot in the dark but it could be a bad valve guide. What did the valve stems look like when you recovered the valve (or what was left of them)?

[fast_crew]

Give some specs, rpm, rocker ratio, valve spring pressures, retainer brand, type of locks, valve material. Sounds like float.

[thinker]

150lbs spring pressure. Rev valves. 7600 rpm's. Plenty of clearance. 10 degree locks. Not sure of the brand .rockers are 1.6 crower stainless.

[fast_crew]

150lbs spring pressure. Rev valves. 7600 rpm's. Plenty of clearance. 10 degree locks. Not sure of the brand .rockers are 1.6 crower stainless.

What are your open pressures? (more important in most cases then seat pressure) Are the locks and retainers of the valves hard to seperate? If there are no signs of float, such as locks and retainers stuck together excessively, and you have addequate open pressure. I would blame it on poor quality retainers. Check ebay for used Del west or other high end, (crower, xcyldene etc) super 7 retainers ( can be had for about $50) and machine to fit springs if needed. If your using bead groove style valves, Ti. locks can be found on Ebay cheaply aswell.

[SLM98]

Flat tappet or roller?

[sj valley dave]

With seat pressure of only 150 lbs, I am strongly leaning to it being a flat tappet...Never saw much of any kind of solid roller cam with only 150 of seat pressure...

[thinker]

Brand is Manley.