Got questions?

We’ve got the answers—the Summit Racing tech department tackles your automotive-related conundrums. This week, we examine the signs of fatigued valve springs.

S.H. Akron, OH

Q: I recently built a 427-cubic-inch big block Chevy for my 1937 street rod. The tall block engine has the following parts:

The engine runs hard up to 4,000 rpm, then stops pulling. It doesn’t miss or act like it’s running out of fuel. The fuel pressure is set at 5.5 psi at the carburetor, and I’ve checked for full throttle travel and made sure the secondaries are opening. I’ve also tried setting the ignition advance at 36, 38, and 40 degrees total, with no change. The truck has a TH-400 transmission with a 2,400 rpm stall converter, a posi rear axle with 4.11 gears, and 31-inch tall tire tires.

A: Take a good look at your valve springs. Big block Chevy engines are famous for wearing out valve springs. When the springs are too weak to follow the cam profile, one of several things usually happens: Engine rpm will flatten out (not increase after a certain point), the engine will pop through the intake or exhaust, a spring will hit the valve seat and bounce into the piston, or the spring will simply break.

It sounds like you have the first symptom of fatiguing springs. We suggest replacing them with a set of COMP Cams springs (part # 911-16). These 1.525-inch (outside diameter) springs are matched to your cam profile, have 125 pounds of seat pressure, and an installed height of 1.90 inches.