Valve Spring Orientation

[1979 FJ40ish]

I purchased a new set of OEM valve springs for my 1979 FJ40 2F engine. Each spring is marked with a dab of paint on one end. Does anyone know if the end marked with the paint should face up or down?

Thanks

 

[Pitter Patter]

I went painted side down on my engine. No clue if that’s correct or if it matters.

 

[Pitter Patter]

 

[charliemeyer007]

Is one end of the spring ground off flatter? I would put that end on the head and do them all the same.

 

[rlong]

In many cases, at a spring manufacturer the different colors represent different rated spring pressures for the same application (say SBC oem head). It these were “progressive” springs (wound tighter on one end) then the tighter end goes to the valve/head. In this case I don’t believe it matters; but I would do them all the same.. or it would drive me crazy!

 

[Pighead]

In this case I don’t believe it matters; but I would do them all the same.. or it would drive me crazy!

It's a Landcruiser, not a Ferrari. I bet that if it did matter, we would have heard about it by now.

 

[peesalot]

Its a spring, non variable rate, both ends have same finish coil, it does not matter unless the finish coil has trouble fitting into the keeper or seat, IIRC the top plate/keeper is a tighter fit than the seat.

 

[1979 FJ40ish]

I called Spector Off Road and my local Toyota dealer, neither of whom could help me. Given that there is no discernible difference between the top and bottom by eyeball or micrometer, and that this issue hasn't already been addressed on this forum, I'm going with it doesn't really make a difference.

My research on this subject on the internet and YouTube seems to tilt toward an industry standard of the painted end, pointing up, so that's what I'm going to do. I think the key for us is to do them all the same.

 

[Paul_A]

The paint is only there to identify the compression rate. I'm not sure there is even an industrial standard; it might only be for the manufacture's convenience. Paint all up or all down, no matter as long as the end coils are ground the same top and bottom, which those look like they are.

 

[3_puppies]

I would mess around and install some up and some down in no order or pattern,
but that is just me.