[Fot] TR-4 Valve Spring Cap / Collar dilemma

[Greg Solow]

I believe that the stock TR "keepers" or "spring retainer locks" have a 10 
degree angle.  They do fit spring retainers made for locks with a 10 degree 
angle.  I found have some  aluminum retainers that I think are the same as 
those sold by Moss and I noticed that they do not "lock" tightly to the 
keepers as they should.
        When I have used aluminum ally spring retainers in  a racing engine, 
I have normally had them "hard anodized" to give them a hard surface that 
will be more resistant to wear. I polish the ends of the valve spring where 
they touch the spring retainer so that they will not abrade the retainer. 
It is also important that the retainer be a tight fit to the spring. This 
will help prevent the spring from moving around and "grinding " on the 
retainer.  All of these factors are equally valid for Titanium spring 
retainers also.
       At various times in the past I have had Titanium retainers made. They 
were 2 or 3 sets at a time. They were not cheap. Maybe having 10 sets of 8 
each done at a time might bring down the price.  The last time I had them 
made was maybe 10 years ago. It seems to me the cost was around $125.00 for 
8 retainers back then.

                                                                             
    Greg Solow