Valve Spring Keepers Are Stuck
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 134
Likes: 5
From: Texas
Valve Spring Keepers Are Stuck
I'm replacing my valve springs with dual springs from TSP but I have ran into an issue. On cylinder 4 I got the intake valve spring replaced with no problem, as far as the exhaust valve I am having a bit of an issue. Seems like the keeper is seized.
I have the cylinder aired up with 120 psi. As I am compressing the spring, the valve goes down with the spring as the keeper won't let go of the valve. I have tried whacking it many times with a rubber mallet but no luck. It is really stuck on there.
My last resort is to cut the spring with a dremel tool. Maybe not the smartest idea but I am very frustrated.
Any help is appreciated.
I have the cylinder aired up with 120 psi. As I am compressing the spring, the valve goes down with the spring as the keeper won't let go of the valve. I have tried whacking it many times with a rubber mallet but no luck. It is really stuck on there.
My last resort is to cut the spring with a dremel tool. Maybe not the smartest idea but I am very frustrated.
Any help is appreciated.
Last edited by robert3elizondo; Sep 3, 2021 at 11:31 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,012
Likes: 726
I'm replacing my valve springs with dual springs from TSP but I have ran into an issue. On cylinder 4 I got the intake valve spring replaced with no problem, as far as the exhaust valve I am having a bit of an issue. Seems like the keeper is seized.
I have the cylinder aired up with 120 psi. As I am compressing the spring, the valve goes down with the spring as the keeper won't let go of the valve. I have tried whacking it many times with a rubber mallet but no luck. It is really stuck on there.
My last resort is to cut the spring with a dremel tool. Maybe not the smartest idea but I am very frustrated.
Any help is appreciated.
I have the cylinder aired up with 120 psi. As I am compressing the spring, the valve goes down with the spring as the keeper won't let go of the valve. I have tried whacking it many times with a rubber mallet but no luck. It is really stuck on there.
My last resort is to cut the spring with a dremel tool. Maybe not the smartest idea but I am very frustrated.
Any help is appreciated.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 134
Likes: 5
From: Texas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
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Is it the retainer (the round metal piece that the spring pushes against, or the keepers (the two little pieces of metal that that fit in the groove of the valve) ?
When doing valve springs, I generally pressurize the combustion chamber - then take a 1" deep socket, place it on the valve retainer, and hit the top of the valve retainer with a pretty good sized dead blow hammer. That tends to break the bond between the valve spring retainer retainer and the keepers.
The retainer is supposed to go down with the spring as you compress the spring - then you remove the keepers, and slowly release pressure on the spring compressor - with no keepers in place the retainer just comes off the valve stem.
When doing valve springs, I generally pressurize the combustion chamber - then take a 1" deep socket, place it on the valve retainer, and hit the top of the valve retainer with a pretty good sized dead blow hammer. That tends to break the bond between the valve spring retainer retainer and the keepers.
The retainer is supposed to go down with the spring as you compress the spring - then you remove the keepers, and slowly release pressure on the spring compressor - with no keepers in place the retainer just comes off the valve stem.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 134
Likes: 5
From: Texas
Is it the retainer (the round metal piece that the spring pushes against, or the keepers (the two little pieces of metal that that fit in the groove of the valve) ?
When doing valve springs, I generally pressurize the combustion chamber - then take a 1" deep socket, place it on the valve retainer, and hit the top of the valve retainer with a pretty good sized dead blow hammer. That tends to break the bond between the valve spring retainer retainer and the keepers.
The retainer is supposed to go down with the spring as you compress the spring - then you remove the keepers, and slowly release pressure on the spring compressor - with no keepers in place the retainer just comes off the valve stem.
When doing valve springs, I generally pressurize the combustion chamber - then take a 1" deep socket, place it on the valve retainer, and hit the top of the valve retainer with a pretty good sized dead blow hammer. That tends to break the bond between the valve spring retainer retainer and the keepers.
The retainer is supposed to go down with the spring as you compress the spring - then you remove the keepers, and slowly release pressure on the spring compressor - with no keepers in place the retainer just comes off the valve stem.
Last edited by robert3elizondo; Sep 3, 2021 at 12:50 PM.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 134
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From: Texas
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 134
Likes: 5
From: Texas
Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 651
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From: North Port Florida
I'm replacing my valve springs with dual springs from TSP but I have ran into an issue. On cylinder 4 I got the intake valve spring replaced with no problem, as far as the exhaust valve I am having a bit of an issue. Seems like the keeper is seized.
I have the cylinder aired up with 120 psi. As I am compressing the spring, the valve goes down with the spring as the keeper won't let go of the valve. I have tried whacking it many times with a rubber mallet but no luck. It is really stuck on there.
My last resort is to cut the spring with a dremel tool. Maybe not the smartest idea but I am very frustrated.
Any help is appreciated.
I have the cylinder aired up with 120 psi. As I am compressing the spring, the valve goes down with the spring as the keeper won't let go of the valve. I have tried whacking it many times with a rubber mallet but no luck. It is really stuck on there.
My last resort is to cut the spring with a dremel tool. Maybe not the smartest idea but I am very frustrated.
Any help is appreciated.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2018
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From: New Jersey
Race Director
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Le Mans Master
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Ah, the old days....For sure, a whack in the right place can do wonders. For instance, my situation comes to mind. Back in the old days, when I was 'stuck' in a pattern of misbehaving, I remember dad (RIP) would give me a 'whack', and presto, I was good again!! Always did the trick!!
im dad whacked me so bad, i didn't remember what i did wrong.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 414
From: New Jersey
Ah, the old days....For sure, a whack in the right place can do wonders. For instance, my situation comes to mind. Back in the old days, when I was 'stuck' in a pattern of misbehaving, I remember dad (RIP) would give me a 'whack', and presto, I was good again!! Always did the trick!!