Valve spring seal/shim question

[Bill Edgeworth]

Originally Posted by John H186

Can you guys give me some advice please.

I just shimmed my dual valvesprings on my mild small-block Ford 302 and noticed that the shims I used (.060-inch blue shims) slid over the outer edge of the valve seals fine but they are not resting completely under them. The inner diameter of the shim is higher than the lower portion of the metal strap that slides over the seal to hold it in place on the guide.

These are mild dual valvesprings with 160-lb of seat pressure and the engine never goes over 5800 rpm. I am just thinking that when the spring dances around some, the shim might want to move that strap on the white valve seals and possibly loosen it. What do you guys think? I find it hard to believe that it will really do anything but am just being paranoid. The spring cups have been over the seals for years and have never done anything but the shims just have me thinking.

Thank you,

Another option would have been to use Comp Cams -0.050 Locks. I just did this on one of my motors rather than having to pull the seals to install shims.