Comp Cams Machined Steel, Single Groove Race Locks – 7° 11/32", Set CCA-648-16

Valve Locks – 7°
Most people believe that the tang inside a valve lock holds the
retainer and valve spring in place while the engine is running . This is
not the case . The cross-section of material in the tang is not strong
enough to withstand open spring loads of 1000 lbs . or more . The
sole purpose of the tang is to temporarily locate the lock, retainer
and spring relative to the valve until the taper of the retainer can nest
around the outside surface of the lock . This creates a “collet” effect
that binds the two together . The more spring force exerted on the
retainer (as the valve opens), the more force applied by the “collet”
effect to keep the retainer and lock in place .

With the emergence of valve sizes other than the standard 5/16",
11/32" and 3/8", it is important to make sure the valve locks match
the valve size . There should always be a small gap between the two
halves of the lock when they are properly positioned on the valve
stem . If the two halves fi t together without a gap, they are too large .
If the locks fi t tight to the stem and leave a gap between the middle
of the lock and the O .D . of the stem, the locks are too small .

Our line of stock replacement 7° valve locks for stock engine
rebuilds are recommended only for street applications with lighter
valve spring loads, and are stamped and hardened for superior wear
resistance . Also available are machined 7° locks and titanium Super
7º locks for some applications . They offer the same valve spring
location accuracy as our Super Locks™ without the need to change
to 10° retainers