Valvespring Swap Help
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Ok! So you don't believe in conspiracies, but will you acknowledge the possibility of there being coordinated activities in secret places? Texas
Valvespring Swap Help
I'm having trouble wrapping my mind around the how tos of getting air into the cylinder to hold the valves up.
What equipment do I need and from where can I get it?
Thanks for the help!
What equipment do I need and from where can I get it?
Thanks for the help!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,877
Likes: 1
From: Ok! So you don't believe in conspiracies, but will you acknowledge the possibility of there being coordinated activities in secret places? Texas
I've heard of that method. How much of a gap is there between the piston and the valve? In other words, how far does the valve fall into the cylinder before it rests on the piston? I wonder why this method isn't used more often.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Western NY
I used the air method, the last time I changed a set of valve springs, but it was on my '96 Camaro with an LT1, not my 'Vette with an LS1. You can get an air hose from many of the auto parts stores, and it has a fitting to connect to your air compressor at one end, and a fitting to screw into your spark plug hole on the other.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
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From: Belleville Mich.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,301
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From: Valencia CA
The air method works if you don't want to go to the trouble of finding TDC for each cylinder. However, I have seen the air method actually push the piston down and cause the motor to rotate at the most in opportune time.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,877
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From: Ok! So you don't believe in conspiracies, but will you acknowledge the possibility of there being coordinated activities in secret places? Texas
What is the name of the part please?
Is it ready made or do I buy a list of parts to "make" this tool?
Is it ready made or do I buy a list of parts to "make" this tool?
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Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 68
Likes: 1
From: Schieding Connecticut
Valve spring swap help
PT (Performance Tool) Air Valve Holder Pt # W84003 $12.00 +/- on EBAY
or Summit Racing
Proform Valve Spring Compressor Pt # 67605 (designed for LS1 and LS6)
$70.00 +/- on EBAY or Summit Racing
I prefer this method over the TDC method.
or Summit Racing
Proform Valve Spring Compressor Pt # 67605 (designed for LS1 and LS6)
$70.00 +/- on EBAY or Summit Racing
I prefer this method over the TDC method.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
With the piston at TDC, the valve can only drop down 1/4" at most. If it does drop down just pull it back up. The valve stem seal usually holds it in place.
The air method works if you don't want to go to the trouble of finding TDC for each cylinder. However, I have seen the air method actually push the piston down and cause the motor to rotate at the most in opportune time.
The air method works if you don't want to go to the trouble of finding TDC for each cylinder. However, I have seen the air method actually push the piston down and cause the motor to rotate at the most in opportune time.
I use the TDC method as well and I like using the rope trick even better because some of the lock can become quite stuck.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Ok! So you don't believe in conspiracies, but will you acknowledge the possibility of there being coordinated activities in secret places? Texas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Valencia CA
Oh yeah, the rope trick. I forgot about that one.
I usually give the retainers a little pop with a soft hammer, to help break them loose.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Ok! So you don't believe in conspiracies, but will you acknowledge the possibility of there being coordinated activities in secret places? Texas
I am now clear on my direction. Thank you guys for the information. I will use the air method in conjunction with the TDC method. I will remove all rocker arms, which will close all valves then be sure to remove only one spark plug at a time to prevent the engine from spinning over on me. Thanks again.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,320
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From: NW Chicago
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15
I am now clear on my direction. Thank you guys for the information. I will use the air method in conjunction with the TDC method. I will remove all rocker arms, which will close all valves then be sure to remove only one spark plug at a time to prevent the engine from spinning over on me. Thanks again.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Ok! So you don't believe in conspiracies, but will you acknowledge the possibility of there being coordinated activities in secret places? Texas
Nylon string method, what is it?
Also, did you remove your hood when you guys installed cams?
Also, did you remove your hood when you guys installed cams?
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you can buy the air fitting from speedinc, but honestly you really don't need it... once you remove the rockers the springs will seat the valves and the seal will hold it in place... if it does fall a little bit you can use a pen magnet to hold it up... the valves are longer than the stroke so even if they fall and the piston is at bdc they aren't going to fall in the cylinder and get lost... I left my hood on when I did my cam for 2 reasons, I didn't want to have to mess with realigning it and I did the job by myself so removing the hood really wasn't feasible although it would have helped... don't let the job intimidate you, you'll be fine
Last edited by StingrayRebel; Jan 25, 2013 at 12:03 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Ok! So you don't believe in conspiracies, but will you acknowledge the possibility of there being coordinated activities in secret places? Texas
Good information. Very helpful. Valve can't get lost in cylinder, very good news.
What is this rope trick though?
What is this rope trick though?
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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putting the piston at tdc then inserting a piece of rope in the spark plug hole... the rope fills up the space between the piston and valve to keep it from falling