<p>A valve spring retainer (1) is fixed at the upper end of a poppet valve (7) via a pair of cotters (6) in a valve-operating mechanism of an internal combustion engine. The valve spring retainer (1) comprises a hollow inverted-frustoconical portion (2) and an outward flange at the end thereof. The lower surface of the outward flange retains the upper end of a valve spring (8) on the lower surface. An annular projection is provided on the outward flange to restrict sideward movement of the valve spring (8) and to increase rigidity of the retainer (1).
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