'69CoupeDude

What's a safe maximum valve spring load with the pressed-in rocker arm studs on the small blocks? Are threaded, straight-shank studs (without hex wrench face) available which allows one to just tap the hole in the head casting without having to machine down the posts on the casting? Your experience and opinions are appreciated.

clem zahrobsky

yes there are studs without the hex that are from "pioneer" and most autoparts can get them. you need a tap with a .375 pilot ground on the end so you get the tap started straight unless you do it in a milling machine. i have used up to 100# on the seat with pressed in studs

'69CoupeDude

Thanks for the reply, Clem. What's your (max) spring load over the nose? Also, do they use pressed-in studs on the Vortec heads. It looks like that on the pictures I've seen.

clem zahrobsky

280/290 over the nose. i have never used any vortex heads but i think they used pressed in studs

Fevre

There are some companies that sell the Vortec heads with upgraded springs, try google searching on them and there should be some spring specs. Vortec heads flow well to about .500 lift so choose a cam with lift less than .500 then that should give you your spring load requirement.