Correct valve retainer for 3-groove valve keepers
Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2023 8:26 pm
by Ethanm
Hello!
Due to low compression in my rear 2 cylinders I replaced all 4 exhaust valves and had the valve seats cut at a local machine shop. I took out the 4 old single groove exhaust valves and replaced them with the 3-groove exhaust valves currently available on the sonex webstore. Realizing I’d need new 3-groove valve keepers, I picked up a set from a VW shop (separate from the machine shop). Since the outer diameter of the 3-groove valve keepers are slightly smaller than the old 1-groove valve keepers, they fit further down in the valve retainer (see photos). As a result the spring would be less compressed.
I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction on if I need new valve retainers, keepers, or both, and where I could find them online.
Thanks for the help 
Left is new 3 groove valve, right is old 1 groove valve
Ethan McIntosh
Sonex 888
Re: Correct valve retainer for 3-groove valve keepers
Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2023 12:11 am
by Bryan Cotton
I’ve not faced this issue before, but I suspect you will need valve retainers to match your keepers.
I suspect Randy will be along shortly to tell us the real story.
Re: Correct valve retainer for 3-groove valve keepers
Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2023 5:58 am
by Weatherpilot
Watching…
Re: Correct valve retainer for 3-groove valve keepers
Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2023 10:06 am
by Area 51%
There is indeed a difference.
CB Performance carries both types of retainers as well as the locks. .
Re: Correct valve retainer for 3-groove valve keepers
Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2023 10:15 am
by Bryan Cotton
Area 51% wrote:There is indeed a difference.
CB Performance carries both types of retainers as well as the locks. .
Thanks Randy. I note that CB performance has a page dedicated to single groove, and another dedicated to 3 groove. Each page has its own valve retainers. So that could be your answer Ethan.
https://www.cbperformance.com/Valve-Tra … s-s/61.htm
Re: Correct valve retainer for 3-groove valve keepers
Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2023 11:57 pm
by Ethanm
Thank you all! Problem solved