Correct valve retainer for 3-groove valve keepers

[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

[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.

[Weatherpilot]

Watching...

[Area 51%]

There is indeed a difference.
CB Performance carries both types of retainers as well as the locks. .

[Bryan Cotton]

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

[Ethanm]

Thank you all! Problem solved :)