Technical Need valve spring specs and source for Ford SOHC 427

My buddy is building a ’66 Ford SOHC and is having trouble getting valve springs. It’s a stock build with stock Ford cams. It came to him with single springs that bind when shimmed to an acceptable seat pressure. It looks like it should have dual springs. The usual sources have said, sorry can’t help.
We would like to know the specs on the factory springs, length, diameter, seat pressure, whether they ran dual springs. And maybe a source for springs.

 

Not much info but it’s a start. This is from Peterson’s Complete Book Of Engines No. 2, published in 1966. I’ll look around some more.
They also mentioned that valve clearance was set with lash caps.

 

See the last paragraph, above "Timing Chains and Gears", for one mans information, (see Comp Cams #26099).
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/hrdp-0908-ford-427-cammer-build/

Call Ed Pink, he may remember. He built a lot of them in the 60's and 70's .

Mike

 

Most any cam company can tell you the recommended spring pressures and where to get springs....

 

From article provided by @Mike VV above:
"We used Manley custom 2.300-inch nailhead intake valves and 1.900-inch tulip exhaust valves for these heads with 11/32-inch stems to save some weight. Even so, the valves were nearly 40 percent heavier than the stock Ford lightweight valves (which are no longer available). Anticipating some high-rpm dyno action and mindful of the increased weight of the valves, we set up the heads with Comp 26099 springs (with 290 pounds on the seat) and titanium retainers before bolting them on."

 

Quite the disparity between what HRM quoted as seat pressure (80 lbs) and what they used on that aftermarket SOHC (290 lbs).
Hadn’t thought about Pink….

 

You would think so, huh? The cam grinders he called didn’t know the stock SOHC Ford specs or didn’t want to be bothered. Some could provide big race springs but nothing in a street spring. This is a stock SOHC with iron heads and stock cams, a 290 lb on-the-seat spring is not needed.

 

Since your friend is building the engine, can't he provide them with the cam specs...? The installed height of the springs he needs should be easy to check with a height mic also.

 

While we talked about it he remembered an old customer who was a big Ford performance guy. He gave him a call and got a lead on some NOS Ford springs. We’ll see.
It’s funny how putting two heads together can shake loose options when you get stuck. We came up with a number of places to try, so if the NOS springs fall through, he’ll be back on the phone.
That engine has been sitting around in pieces for more than 30 years. He bought it from an aging uncle for $5k a few years ago. Cool uncle.

 

You don't mention the engines use. street, drag racing (blown or unblown), Bonneville, show car ? This will make a big difference in the spring chosen.

290lbs. on the seat sounds a bit high for a lower rpm engine. I doubt it's gonna go to 8000+ rpm ??? The springs are still controlling only one spring.
And, they (this engine) are missing a pushrod that normally needs controlling by the spring.

Or...is it going to get a high pressure blower intake system or high rpm alcohol combination, going to Bonneville ?

Here's some studying to do for a reference -
https://enginepro.com/downloads/EPG_ProgressiveValveSpringChart.pdf

Mike

 

I just kinda walked into this thing today. He was working on another project and I asked how the big Ford was coming along and he told me that he can’t seem to find springs. Yes, he has that info written down to give them. I suggested that he contact the spring providers like PAC, Manley, etc.
I just thought maybe one of our Ford fanatics on here would have a quick answer/source. He may have found the answer, he’ll know tomorrow. Thanks for the input.

 

I believe it’s going into a big Galaxie. No high rpm usage, just a solid, reliable street engine.

 

Comp Cams has a very good online spring catalog that will give you the installed height, coil bind, spring diameter and more. You wouldn’t think it would that difficult.

 

I guess it comes down to what cams he has and the intended use of the engine. Just for laughs I looked up those Comp Cams 26099 springs quoted in the article. Only $625 from Summit, but hey, you get free shipping!

 

Based on my experience I would be very leery of 30 year old new old stock springs. Last year I bought a set of original still in the box new old stock valve springs for my 1969 302. After a couple of months I developed a high RPM miss, and sure enough had a handful of broken springs

 

Contact Jay Cushman on the Ford EX SK ECT Facebook page. He should be able to provide the information you need.

 

About 5 years ago we dialed in a dual quad setup on a sohc 427 in '55 or '56 t-bird hot rod , customer said he got his engine parts from a guy in California, Bob Pond 909-376-2530. Kept the number, call him if he is still around.

 

Call Isky?

 

Or Westech

 

Dema Elgin

 

He’s still around and FAST.
Google NHRA Robert Pond and read up.
https://robertpondmotorsports.com

 

I checked out the RPM website, makes me want to build a cammer. Lol....$$$$+
I forwarded all of the info to him this morning. Haven't heard back yet.

 

So I thought I’d wrap this up. He made a few calls and circled back to Comp. This time to ask questions about the springs mentioned above. He must have gotten a different guy. The first guy just told him that they had discontinued the P/N for the SOHC Fords. This guy worked with him and they came up with beehive springs, retainers and spring seats. Everything in stock and ordered. He passed on the NOS springs.
So, now he can get off the phone and make me a pilot bearing for my Olds.

 

Oh yeah, thanks to everyone who had suggestions. If I remember, I’ll post the part numbers here in case someone finds themselves looking for SOHC valve springs.

 

It does you no good but here is the Ford VS numbers
Outer - C5AE-6513-B
Inner - C5AE-6A510-A

 

Now that is one pretty piece if iron!

 

Thanks, I’ll forward the info. You never know. I’ve googled part numbers before and found stuff I thought I’d never find.

 

Ain’t it!?! You never know what’s going to pop up at Willy’s shop there in San Andreas.
When I worked at Hedman, I got fairly intimate with the SOHC Kenny Hedman ran them in his Pro Srock Maverick and we built a bunch of different intakes and headers trying to get a few extra horses. Earl Wade built and tuned the engines and we dyno’d them at Edelbrock. Great job, lotsa fun. Seeing that one at Willy’s really brought back memories!

 

"Factory SOHCs went to at least 8500 RPM, with springs that were around 120 pounds on the seat and 320 pounds open."

That's what I have been able to find.

 

Robert Pond Motorsports is the Cammer go to guy.