dual valvespring problem

Hey guys, I'm mid way thru my cam swap and I just started to do the springs on my 2000 6.0L and took my stem seal off. On ls1howto.com, it shows to take a pen magnet to take the stock seat off and that isn't happening. I popped one of my new dual spring seats on the stock seat and it fits nice but the outside edges aren't down all the way against the head. Are the stock ones supposed to come off? Or am I supposed to just put the new seat on top of the old? I tried to gently pull up on the old seat and it isn't coming. Let me know what you think ASAP. Thanks. Tim

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...1/P5161844.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...1/P5161845.jpg

Do you have cast iron or aluminum heads?

Can you post a photo?

I may be able to get a picture tomorrow morning, but they are cast iron heads. The stock spring didn't really sit on a seat. There was something that the spring sat around but not on. I've read that you have to use the hardware they provide when doing a dual spring swap, so I didn't just want to slap them on over top of whats there.

Are the valve stem seals that you removed the same as the new ones that came in the kit? All the newer heads I've seen have the seat built into the spring seal and it all comes off as an assembly. The seals that come in the dual spring kits are just a seal and the washer that comes with the kit replaces the one piece seal. The new seals are 97-98 LS1 viton exhaust seals if I remember correctly.

the seals are blue but they look very similar. If the new spring seat is supposed to sit flush on the heads, something stock has to come off then.

Is there a thin plate under the spring?

there is one that came with my kit, but under the stock spring there was nothing. The stock spring fits just over what I was thinking was a seat. If I don't get that off, the new seats don't sit flush to the heads.

pics of problem added

Damn cast iron heads! :whack:

I've never messed with the iron heads before but that inner washer needs to come out somehow. Where the old stock spring sat is the same location the new dual springs need to sit flush and at the same height. Hopefully thats not a machined boss on the cast iron head that isn't present on an aluminum head. :nutz:

if that is built in, can I just us the outer spring and leave out the inner if I had to?

If its built in your best option would be a set of 918s from comp cams.

Get a dental pick or something fine and sharp like that and see if you can tell if there is a separation under the washer-like area. If there is one you may be able to walk them up the valve guide a little bit at a time. They look like they're machined on there from here though.

Using a single spring out of the dual spring kit will be weaker than stock. :nono:

tried the dental pick, yeah, there machined. What a bummer? Looks like my truck will be dead in the water till I can get something compatible.

918s should be easy to locate a set up there in your neck of the woods. All Camaro, Firebird and Corvettes with LS1s used the 918s so just about any part store that specializes in GM performance parts may have a set in stock. Orielly's, Autozone, Checker, NAPA, they may be able to order them for you out of their warehouse and have them to you quickly.

Oddly enough, I've called everyone around here and no luck, hopefully monday, texas speed can send me a set quick. Hopefully they will take back the original set they sent me also.

Sorry to hear that didn't work out for you. You're the first person I've heard try to do dual springs on the cast iron heads. I guess we'll know to warn others in the future. :(

yup, learned something new today. thanks for your help.