Broken Valve Springs

[tomo256]

Hi Guys.
Having heard a top end rattle on my Gennie Shovel I had to investigate.
I found all the inner valve springs broken, but no visible damage and I have all the broken spring parts and am convinced that nothing has dropped down the oil return. Any ideas as to what can cause this, apart from shite quality springs. The engine has not been apart since I have owned it (approx 5 years ). I was told that there was a CAM fitted but what kind I dont know. Any ideas as to what kind of springs to put back in.

Tomo

[Any old iron]

I'd steer clear of Sifton springs, because as far as I know V-twin bought the name and all their stuff is now made in India or China or somewhere spurious.

[tomo256]

I think I may have found the reason all the springs have broken, on further investigation I noticed that the broken springs did not fit snugly with the top valve collar. The person that put the motor together fitted the wrong top valve collar allowing the valve spring to move around a massive amount and eventually break and nearly wear through the top collar which would have allowed the split keepers to fall out and drop a valve, that would have been horrendously expensive. So I think I am extremely lucky to get away with new springs, collars and keepers.

Tomo

[Limey_Dave]

If you've got the part numbers,put them in Jan Boon's search engine,it can turn up all sorts of parts.

[tomo256]

Thanks for that, but I was going to give Matt a ring tomorrow morning, if he has some in stock I will shoot over and pick them up.

Tomo

[Any old iron]

It's nice to find the cause of the problem. Like you say you're a lucky man.
That could have turned nasty and VERY expensive.

[kiwidave]

Originally Posted by Any old iron

I'd steer clear of Sifton springs, because as far as I know V-twin bought the name and all their stuff is now made in India or China or somewhere spurious.

CORRECT. Sadly. Goes for everything ''Sifton''.

FYI, Black Widow do the cams now, they bought the original grinds from the old Tom Sifton company.

[tomo256]

Update.
Spoke to Matt, who couldn't have been more helpful. He sorted me out with high lift Andrews springes, upper collars and keepers, off the shelf.
I have had the cam out and it is stamped "Andrews F 34471" can anybody shed some light on exactly what application this cam is for, I have trolled the internet and failed to locate any info. I am still wondering why the previous owner had it installed, unless he just had it laying around when the motor was built.

Tomo

[harleyaxlegrease]

I found this info in an old vtwin catalogue. I dont think Andrews make these cams any more. It says the 'F' grind cam is similar to the 'A' grind cam. Hope this helps.

[fuz]

Been running an Andrews F grind with solid lifters on my Shovel for the last 15 years, better than the worn A grind it replaced.
Good luck.