The Aftermarket Cylinder Head Thread!!

[Fastest95PGT]

Guys, here is a link on ford-parts.com for valve spring retainers. I'm not sure what the difference between "upper" and "lower" is and I don't see it in my shop manual. Can someone inform me? If we need both then it's only $108-$144 for them brand new doesn't sound bad.

Judging by price and the lack of (meaning no) response to e-mail from CZT about their retainer kit, a stock replacement might be my best bet.

[jon93PGT]

more good replies... thanks guys...

hypnatzd- if you have ZE heads, the only parts that NEED to be from a ZE are the intake HLAs... Yes, you can also use Millenia HLAs... The exhaust HLAs are the same as the 03 heads and the valves are same as the 03. The intake valves are bigger than exhaust, but all are same for both heads...

The exhaust HLAs on the ZE are the same as the 03 HLAs... And the 03 HLAs are the same size for both intake and exhaust...



On another note... MY CZT titanium retainers and chromoly valvelocks just arrived via UPS... Tomorrow they go to the shop and my heads will be done by the end of the week...

[Fastest95PGT]

Which valve spring compressor?

$19.99 or $14.99

I'm thinking by sheer appearance its' the 19.99.. but can someone confirm please?

[X_TheLegend_x]

19.99 is the one i use, it works good onces you get the hang of it....and i the $14 one wont work iirc.

[Mx3Zeeee]

The 14.99 compressor will NOT work with our heads. Snap on makes a good valve spring compressor that bolts to the top of the head and you pry down with a specialy tool. Definately alot easier then the craftsman tool.

[Fastest95PGT]

19.99 is the one i use works good ones you get the hang of it....

Thanks, I'm sure by the 24th I'll have figured it out.

[Pintoracer]

[b]

Paeco- http://www.paeco.com/- I haven't done much research on this company, although the rumor is that they supply oversize valves. If you want to spend the extra money to machine your valveseats, this company will provide the valves. I do not know of the quality of their parts, customer service, etc...

I ordered a set of springs for my ZE from PAECO. They had me send them a valve, HLA, spring, retainer & a pair of locks so they could be sure to send me the right parts. I wrapped the HLA in a shop towel to protect it. I told them on the phone, in an e-mail & in a note I sent along that I wanted a set of springs for the intake valves & I also specifically said I wanted a set of 12 each of the inner & outer springs and retainers. They were sent to my friends repair shop & he paid $496 c.o.d. when I wasn't there. When I opened he box I discovered that they had sent me 24 of each. They put my HLA loose in the box without the shop towel to protect it. I have returned half of the parts & am waiting for a refund which they said they would issue. My machine shop found that the spring ends are not chamfered so I'm paying them to do that. I seem to recall reading that the Interprep springs are chamfered.

When my machine shop couldn't locate a pair of locks to replace the ones that had been dropped I called Interprep & spoke to Alistair's wife. She forwarded my inquiry to Alistair as he was at a historic race at Sebring. When we spoke the next day I could hear race cars whizzing by. He told me to check with Ford & Mazda dealers & if I couldn't find anyting he would look into it when he got back to his shop.

Everyone can draw their own conclusions as to how this speaks for the customer service (& the product quality) of the 2 companies. For myself, I will take my future business to Interprep.

Ford has discontinued the valve locks which they call a "retainer key." The dealer I called checked on their computer system & found a dealer that had 18 in stock so I took a half hour drive & got them. If anyone wants the part # let me know & I will post it.

[proboner]

i was under the impression that the millenia has solid lifters not HLA's?

[jon93PGT]

no, the Millenia has HLAs, its some year of the 626 that has the solid lifters... Perhaps the 98?

And Ken..... I too spoke with both Alistair and his wife when I was purchasing springs... His springs are great looking parts and I know they'll do well in my heads... But, he definitely has great customer service, and parts as well.

[showngo]

no, the Millenia has HLAs, its some year of the 626 that has the solid lifters... Perhaps the 98?

And Ken..... I too spoke with both Alistair and his wife when I was purchasing springs... His springs are great looking parts and I know they'll do well in my heads... But, he definitely has great customer service, and parts as well.

im pretty positive 98+ mazda millenia and 626 heads all have solid lifters in fact i am positive i work at a parts store and thats what its listed as in the computer for every year after 98 for those 2 cars. its also listed in my chiltons manual. i think there like $24 ea but ill have to double check

if you switch to interprep springs which are DE sized and DE retainers and locks in a ZE head couldnt you just switch to DE sized intake HLAs or solid lifters??
if you cant why not?
also about whats the max sustained rpm for interprep springs?
thanx alot
dustin

[Pintoracer]

No. The outer diameter of the ZE HLA (on the intakes) is bigger & so is the bore that it rides in. A DE sized HLA would flop around in a ZE head.

[proboner]

how much bigger is the intake HLA on the ZE?

[Pintoracer]

I have a vague recollection of reading a post somewhere on PT that it's 1 mm bigger. Your timing is impeccable. I'll be installing the HLAs in my ZE tomorrow. I'll try to remember to measure them. My vernier caliper measures in inches so you'll have to convert it.

[jon93PGT]

ZE intake HLAs are 31mm, and the DE HLAs are 30mm....

[Domino81]

I haven't seen anyone list it yet, but Ferrea valvetrains are located @ www.importperformanceparts.net along with some other high performance goodies. Just FYI incase y'all didn't know.