How to remove/install valve spring
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 273
Likes: 1
From: Columbia Maryland
How to remove/install valve spring
I have a cam/springs in the mail and I've never changed anything in the valvetrain of the car before. All the cam install guides assume you are doing heads too, but I am not. How do I remove the springs? Anything else I should replace while im in there? The only way ive heard of keeping the valve from falling is to use an air compressor and fitting, is this true as well?
Thanks (its a lot of questions)
-Brian
Thanks (its a lot of questions)
-Brian
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
There is a valve spring removal tool especially made to remove the springs while installed on the engine. I would recomend. getting one--I believe you can get one from Thunder racing--they are a supporting vendor -just click on their ad on the left and type in valve tool and it will pop up--Cost is $129---I made my own---compressed air will hold the valve up while you take the old spring off--I've changed so many that i just take my time and make sure that the stem does not touch the retainer and i don't have to use air-usually the valve seals will hold the valve up OK-It just takes alot more time to use the air--If unsure then I would use the air to be more confident--
I would also check the valve geometry with a new cam install with a pushrod length checker--then order the appropriate length hardened pushrods---Make sure all the retainers are OK as well as the keepers---If you have an extra $300-$400 then i would purchase some roller rockers too--I like the Yella Terra rockers the best--but the new Scorpion rockers look nice as do the Harland-Sharp or the SLP
I would also check the valve geometry with a new cam install with a pushrod length checker--then order the appropriate length hardened pushrods---Make sure all the retainers are OK as well as the keepers---If you have an extra $300-$400 then i would purchase some roller rockers too--I like the Yella Terra rockers the best--but the new Scorpion rockers look nice as do the Harland-Sharp or the SLP
Last edited by tblu92; Jun 12, 2007 at 08:09 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
The Crane/Vinci tool is the best one out there for valve springs. You either need to used compressed air to hold up the valves or the Top Dead Center method, which I prefer. This requires you set the piston to the top prior to starting each cylinder, but the valves can't go anywhere. I had one drop once with compressed air and had to pull the head so I don't use that method anymore.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
Likes: 227
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
most people will leave forget to tell you to give each valve a soft 'wrap', to break free the retainers/locks, the air hissing out the intake will tell you real quick to stop and do this
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 273
Likes: 1
From: Columbia Maryland
It was my understanding that with my cam I could keep the stock pushrods/rockers
It is the GM hot cam kit and it comes with ls6 springs
Im starting to wonder if I bit off more than I can chew, having only worked externally before (headers, turbos, ect)
It is the GM hot cam kit and it comes with ls6 springs
Im starting to wonder if I bit off more than I can chew, having only worked externally before (headers, turbos, ect)
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
You should definitely get some stronger pushrods, since you'll be there and they are the weak link.
Stick with the stock rockers, no advantage to changing them.
I can give you a hand with the spring install if you need it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 273
Likes: 1
From: Columbia Maryland
Honestly, I wouldn't waste my time with the hot cam. If your gonna do that much work, get a real cam
You should definitely get some stronger pushrods, since you'll be there and they are the weak link.
Stick with the stock rockers, no advantage to changing them.
I can give you a hand with the spring install if you need it.
You should definitely get some stronger pushrods, since you'll be there and they are the weak link.
Stick with the stock rockers, no advantage to changing them.
I can give you a hand with the spring install if you need it.
Im hoping it all makes sense once im in there. This is my first time working on a car with pushrods, and my first time working on the valvetrain. Did you find this to be the case?
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
The Crane LS1 tool is the best IMHO. The hardest part is removing the spark plugs.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 1
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Crane LS1 tool
http://www.vincihighperformance.com/superwebdeals.HTML
http://www.vincihighperformance.com/superwebdeals.HTML
NO TOOL BOX SHOULD BE WITHOUT ONE!
VHP LSX VALVE SPRING TOOL & AIR HOSE KIT
CHANGE VALVE SPRINGS ON THE CAR!
A MUST FOR EVERY TOOL BOX, EVEN CHANGES DUAL SPRINGS. CHANGES 2 AT A TIME! BILLET CONSTRUCTION! CNC MACHINED!
EASILY ON CORVETTES, SUV'S AND DIFFICULT TO REACH F-BODIES. WILL NOT HARM EXPENSIVE TITANIUM RETAINERS
AIR HOSE WITH SPECIAL ADAPTOR TO FIT ALL LSX SERIES HEADS. PREVENTS DAMAGE TO THREADS.
PRICE FOR THE COMBO KIT $ 110.99
VHP LSX VALVE SPRING TOOL & AIR HOSE KIT
CHANGE VALVE SPRINGS ON THE CAR!
A MUST FOR EVERY TOOL BOX, EVEN CHANGES DUAL SPRINGS. CHANGES 2 AT A TIME! BILLET CONSTRUCTION! CNC MACHINED!
EASILY ON CORVETTES, SUV'S AND DIFFICULT TO REACH F-BODIES. WILL NOT HARM EXPENSIVE TITANIUM RETAINERS
AIR HOSE WITH SPECIAL ADAPTOR TO FIT ALL LSX SERIES HEADS. PREVENTS DAMAGE TO THREADS.
PRICE FOR THE COMBO KIT $ 110.99
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
That is exactly what you want. Great price too.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 273
Likes: 1
From: Columbia Maryland
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
Besides, you'll need it again soon when you change out that wimpy cam.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 273
Likes: 1
From: Columbia Maryland
Maybe ill look into getting that crane tool
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 328
From: CA.
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
I would agree on the crane tool--the other one will end up in the trash--it sucks ---Also sorry but have to agree on the hot-cam selection- I would go with something more aggressive--Don't think you'll be happy--
Use the old school method of cam selection-- Do your homework and pick out the right cam for your application----THEN go 1 bigger !!!!!
Use the old school method of cam selection-- Do your homework and pick out the right cam for your application----THEN go 1 bigger !!!!!
