Valve Spring Swap
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
The right tools make all the difference. The Crane valve spring tool is perfect for this job. Don't use one like below. Also, if you make a wrench you can use the TDC method and won't need an air hookup.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
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Likes: 1,127
From: Dyer, IN
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,360
Likes: 1,127
From: Dyer, IN
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
the rope takes up room in the chamber and is a soft cushion for the valves to hit on.....a lot of swaps don't need this but like on my big block, it holds the valves up higher and makes things a lot easier to do and it sure beats an air fitting.........every day is a school day!....good luck.....
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,360
Likes: 1,127
From: Dyer, IN
the rope takes up room in the chamber and is a soft cushion for the valves to hit on.....a lot of swaps don't need this but like on my big block, it holds the valves up higher and makes things a lot easier to do and it sure beats an air fitting.........every day is a school day!....good luck.....
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
I have done the rope method as well, it also helps if when compressing the springs the keepers are stuck. Just make sure a rag is in all drain back holes and over the valves when you compress them.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: SoCal CA
Still, any step by step instructions or link I can follow?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
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From: SoCal CA
My TFS heads are only about 9months old. Should they need new valve stems? Im only upgrading from Patriot Gold Springs to the Patriot Extremes. Trying to prevent valve float, presnt or future.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
HTH
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
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From: SoCal CA
Thnx for the advice guys. So let me get this straight, 1) hookup air comp to spark plug threads to keep valves up, 2) use spring remover by following the instructions, 3) replace valve stem seals by pressing them on and replace springs.... repeat 8 times. Sound right? Do the stem seals come off easy?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
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From: PNW
Thnx for the advice guys. So let me get this straight, 1) hookup air comp to spark plug threads to keep valves up, 2) use spring remover by following the instructions, 3) replace valve stem seals by pressing them on and replace springs.... repeat 8 times. Sound right? Do the stem seals come off easy?
The rope stuffed in the cylinder at TDC sounds like a neat trick instead of using the air pressure tool in the spark plug hole.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
From someone who had a compressor issue and saw the valve drop into the cylinder, the rope or TDC method are good options. These methods also help when the locks are stuck.
Only question I have is if the Crane tool fits TFS heads (didn't know you had TFS when it was recommended). It was designed for stock (GM) heads. I have had both Darts and AFR and modified the tool to fit but it took some work.
Only question I have is if the Crane tool fits TFS heads (didn't know you had TFS when it was recommended). It was designed for stock (GM) heads. I have had both Darts and AFR and modified the tool to fit but it took some work.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Thnx for the advice guys. So let me get this straight, 1) hookup air comp to spark plug threads to keep valves up, 2) use spring remover by following the instructions, 3) replace valve stem seals by pressing them on and replace springs.... repeat 8 times. Sound right? Do the stem seals come off easy?