Valve springs

[DaveSeries1]

Looking for some information. Just started the overhaul on my S1 engine. Was given a box of NOS valve springs for Hillman or Rapier 1 or 2. Can these be used in the series 1 Alpine engine, or will I be looking for trouble? I'm doing this engine right, and want no short cuts or mistakes. Regards, Dave

 

[Barry]

No idea if Hillman / Rapier valve springs are the same as Series I Alpine valve springs, but there are data for Series I valve springs on page 12 of Section 3 (General Data) of WSM-124.

http://sunbeamalpine.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/3-General-Data.pdf​

The method to measure the valve spring pressure is shown on page 22 of Section 5 (Engine) of WSM-124.

http://sunbeamalpine.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/5-Engine-B.pdf​

 

[DaveSeries1]

Barry, thanks for the input. The old factory service manual gives the same specs and dimensions for the S1 and Rapier valve springs. They look identical, only difference is the old Alpine springs are about a 1/64 higher than the new Rapier ones. Inner springs are identical. I wouldn't think that about 1/64 would be an issue with valve performance, but want to be sure. Dave

 

[Barry]

Dave,

Most car builders do a lot of "parts bin engineering" and Rootes apparently played that game very well.

The 1/64" difference in free height could easily be the result of age / heat cycles / compression cycles / etc.

It seems to me that the "alternative" method of checking new vs. old valve springs (page 23, section 5) would be an acceptable way to confirm that the Hillman / Rapier valve springs are effectively the same as Series I valve springs.