Valve spring removal
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Hot Springs Village AR
Valve spring removal
71 350. I'm attempting to remove valve springs to check the seals on a cylinder burning oil. I have the valves closed with compressed air pumped into the cylinder. When I compress the spring it just pushes the valve open. The valves will not stay closed to allow the spring to compress on their own so the locks can be removed.
The valve train is Comp Cams with dual valve springs. Has anyone else run into this problem?
The valve train is Comp Cams with dual valve springs. Has anyone else run into this problem?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
The locks are stuck/wedged to the retainer. I used a piece of soft nylon rope pushed into the spark plug hole to hold up the valves. Bring the piston up to TDC to hold up the valves. I had to turn the engine back and forth a few times to wedge the valves tight. I bought the air adapter also but the rope works better. Then I used a spring compressor from Auto Zone on a their tool rental program. Will get you a pic. of the tool. mike...
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=231210_0_0_
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=231210_0_0_
Last edited by mds3013; Dec 11, 2011 at 08:33 PM.
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 581
Likes: 5
From: BC
Even if the retainer is stuck to the keepers you shouldn't be able to push the valve off it's seat if the air pressure is holding it. How high is the air pressure set? Do you have the other valve's rocker backed off fully so it's not open?
With the air plugged in do you hear air escaping somewhere? Before attempting to remove the keepers tap on the retainer with a hammer to loosen them, but you want to make sure your air is holding the valves properly before you remove the spring.
If you have a stock configuration head It's not likely to be an issue with valve seals though. SBC seals are a static seal between the stem and the retainer. Acts like a gasket between the two and the retainer just sheds the oil away. No moving parts and nothing to wear out or get hard like umbrella type seals. Look for excessive guide wear if you're drawing oil past a valve.
Steve g
With the air plugged in do you hear air escaping somewhere? Before attempting to remove the keepers tap on the retainer with a hammer to loosen them, but you want to make sure your air is holding the valves properly before you remove the spring.
If you have a stock configuration head It's not likely to be an issue with valve seals though. SBC seals are a static seal between the stem and the retainer. Acts like a gasket between the two and the retainer just sheds the oil away. No moving parts and nothing to wear out or get hard like umbrella type seals. Look for excessive guide wear if you're drawing oil past a valve.
Steve g
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Hot Springs Village AR
Thanks. I now remember hearing about that trick. I have the tool, it works fine; just opens the valve. Found out that a typical spring compressor does not work when you have inner and outer springs.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
All my motors have big dual roller springs. You need a rubber mallet. You start to compress the retainer and then hit it with the hammer to knock the keepers loose
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
mike...
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I also don't do the rope trick. Just place each piston at tdc I use air some times Sometimes no air. With an auto tranny it has to be right at tdc or air will drive the piston down.
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From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
If you've never done it before, watch where those locks go when you crack the spring open, or you'll be buying new ones, they are small and are attracted to little nooks and crannies where you will never see them again!
Scott
Scott
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
