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56 KHK valves and springs

PostPosted: Thu Sep 12, 2019 1:21 pm
by wb56
Need help with my 56 KHK. The motor I bought had no valves and springs with it. Bill Coleman, who is putting the motor together, purchased a set but the springs bind at about 300 thou. Anyone know what the problem is? Anyone know where I can get the right valves and springs? Thanks in advance for any help.

Re: 56 KHK valves and springs

PostPosted: Thu Sep 12, 2019 2:54 pm
by Lisa
Don't know about springs but just a word to the wise you better pay special attention to the oil pump for wet sumping I have the fix and if your interested give me a shout. If you don't do anything to it get ready to kick your ride over with a lower end full of 60 weight oil making it harder to start then cleaning up the mess on the floor. Not even mentioning the clutch side that filled up with oil and eventually seeped into the dry clutch basket. Another problem solved with an upgraded oil pump. Again just a word to the WISE.

Re: 56 KHK valves and springs

PostPosted: Thu Sep 12, 2019 4:13 pm
by starcain
wb56, you might get some useful information from this thread. It shows approximately how long the springs are for the K's and the KH's. As far as I know they used the same springs for the KHK's as they did for the KH's. Maybe you got some of the longer K springs but even then I don't think it should bind.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1004

Maybe check to make sure you are using the correct valve spring collars.
Are you using KHK cams? A higher lift then the KHK cam could be an issue.

Tell Bill, Stan Diener said hello. Have you seen Bill's '53 KK in the gallery?

Stan

Re: 56 KHK valves and springs

PostPosted: Thu Sep 12, 2019 9:07 pm
by wb56
Stan, cams are KHK, Bill sent them out and had them resurfaced. Bill thinks it's the springs and yes I've seen his pic on this site. I will tell him you said hello.

Re: 56 KHK valves and springs

PostPosted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 9:34 am
by wb56
Stan, I am most likely much less then a "hobbyist and lack specific knowledge in some areas of the big picture" then you are. Also, being the middle man, probably complicates things more. Could I send you PM with Bill's phone number so you guys can talk and maybe find out what the problem is? Thanks Bill (my name Bill too)

Re: 56 KHK valves and springs

PostPosted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 10:24 am
by 55panman
wb56 I'm curious what you mean the spring coil binds at about 300 thou. That's .300 (less than 5/16) Normally when you speak of coil bind that's the measurement of the total spring length between two flats, like in vise jaws, when the vise is tightened up and the spring has no more movement. No way any spring can get that tight. (compressed spring height) ?? Could you be more specific? Thanks

Re: 56 KHK valves and springs

PostPosted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 11:55 am
by wb56
55panman, the way I understand Bill is that the lift on the KHK cams that I had re-ground is .385. I believe that the standard lift for KK/KHK is .375. Apparently the regrind added a little to the cam surface. When he uses the springs in the kit, the spring is completely compressed when he hits 300 thou. As I told Stan I'm trying to explain something as a middle man and that can add to the confusion. No way am I near the knowledge level that Bill's at. This is probaly clear as mud, right?

Re: 56 KHK valves and springs

PostPosted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 12:24 pm
by 55panman
wb56 If the lift of the cam is .385 and the spring coil binds at .300 then there is .085 from the maximum lift to the point at .300 to where the spring coils bind. .085 is plenty of spring travel from max. lift to coil bind.. The figure from max lift to coil bind that is normally given as "safe" is .065 although there are cases depending on type of spring and deflection of the valve train where .045 may be acceptable over even more needed up to .100 (100 thousand) Since this is a flathead and there is virtually no valve train deflection (no rockers, rocker pedestals, or pushrods) .085 is way more then needed for free travel to coil bind. I look for around .045 free to coil bind on my XR750 and .065 on my Bonneville racer Panhead engine revving to 7500 rpm you could use a .020 shim to get down to .065 but I would say run it where it's at. Ron

Re: 56 KHK valves and springs

PostPosted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 1:40 pm
by panic
You have MINUS .085" + .060" coil-to-coil clearance (.020" each between any three coils) = .145" too tight.

Re: 56 KHK valves and springs

PostPosted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 2:01 pm
by wb56
55panman, panic is right, I have minus .085 thou. Bill thinks that the kit may have springs for a K model and not a KH or KHK. I believe the standard lift on K cams is 0.318 thou. These springs would probaly work with those cams. I just want to know where does one find the right valves and springs for a KHK? Bill B.