Valve setup

Hello all !

This is my first post after years of reading. Just want to say that all of you weirdos are to blame that I bought AF Condor :biggrinn:

I need a few suggestions so that I can rebuild and setup my Condor 24″ .25
A while back on a shooting session I had a tank dump. Pressure was getting low so it was not really heart stopping sound fortunately. I noticed right away that tophat was not returning in original position and that meant that valve spring retainer unscrewed. I removed the valve and completely disassembled it.

Now I plan to use one piece valve stem. I researched on the forum about what tension of valve return spring should I use and found suggestions ranging from half a turn from first contact of spring retainer nut with the spring to one or even two full turns. I am concerned about this thing unscrewing again, as there is no loctite on the threads. Is it ok not to have anything securing this nut from moving?

Since for now, I only plan to use JSB exact 25.4 grain pellets and I need to stay in the range of 900-950 fps for best accuracy what would be the optimal number of turns on the spring retainer nut?

While I am disassembling the gun I also plan to install barrel sliding hammer. I have a rather heavy 118 gram hammer. From what I read, heavy barrel sliding hammer should improve consistency of force applied to the tophat. If I use heavy hammer should I screw the valve spring retaining nut further in for faster closing time of the valve as the heavy hammer slams it? I also plan to use o ring to control the amount of air one piece valve lets out.
The rest of the rifle is all stock parts.
One more thing…orings used in tank and valve, are they regular nitrile orings of they must be some special kind?

I am open for suggestions as what to do, so…..shoot :4:

Thanks

Pino