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Ferrea Introduces A New Tool To Gauge Spring Retainer Angle

By Greg Acosta February 06, 2020When it comes to valve lock angles, there are about as many opinions on which is best as there are hours in a day. However, one thing everyone agrees on, is that regardless of what lock angle you choose, you absolutely need to use a valve retainer with the proper angle to match the lock.

While this may seem elementary, with relatively small parts, eyeballing the difference between a 7-degree and a Super-7-degree part can be near impossible. With four main valve lock angles, things get even more difficult. Yes, most parts are marked when they are manufactured, but time has a way of eliminating even the best of those markings.

Enter Ferrea Racing Components. Knowing that in the real world, markings can disappear and the havoc that can be wreaked by using mismatched locks and retainers, Ferrea came up with a simple and easy-to-use tool which should end any doubt as to whether the retainer you are looking at has a 6-, 7-, Super 7-, or 10-degree taper.
The device is a precision plug gauge. By simply inserting it into the retainer in question, it will be readily apparent by feel which of the four mandrels properly matches the taper.

Made from high-quality aluminum and anodized both for good looks and a long service life, the Ferrea Retainer Degree Gauge is a plug gauge that has been precision machined, to be able to simply insert into a retainer and determine its taper. On one side of the tool are 7-degree and Super 7-degree tapers (the latter actually being an 8-degree taper), and on the other side is 6- and 10-degree tapers.

So now, if you have a bin full of unmarked retainers and you don’t want to risk chatter on the valve groove, you can take all the guesswork out of the equation. For less than the cost of three trips to McDonald’s for lunch, you can own the tool to be sure of your valve retainers’ taper. And really, who doesn’t like new tools?

Article Sources

Ferrea Racing Components
https://www.ferrea.com/
(954) 735-2179