Valve Spring Compressor With Head On Engine

[e30h26]

Has anyone used these to remove valve springs while the head is still on the engine, or does anyone have any recommendations for a tool?

[89CAL]

Id recommend taking the head off to save dropping a valve then having to do it anyway

This tool probably gets around this issue (dont know how it works really) but it only takes one step out of order or a quick bump etc and youll be valve fishing

I dont think its a good idea to do it with the head on with an rb because of how recessed in the head everything is. Not like a traditional rocker style setup where everything sits up higher in the head

[Ben C34]

You won't drop a valve into the engine if you pressurize the cylinder with air and have the piston at tdc. That kit has the line to pressurise the cylindr. Usualy inly 20psi is required. If it does drop due to losing air pressure etc you can lift it up again no worries with a magnet.

Having said that I don't think it would work on an rb due to the layout of the head. Why not use those hammer jobs that remove the collets? They rule.

Edited February 27, 2015 by Ben C34

[boostn0199]

For an RB sytyle you need those round tools that you press onto the retainer and magnets in the tool grab the coolers ive used that for when doing it with head on but even that tool you will need to slightly mod it as the diameter is a little to big.

[89CAL]

Ahh yes of course. Air pressure in the cylinder. I remember now

Ive pulled a head apart out of the car at a engine shop and it was enough of a pain in the ass. Personally I wouldnt do it, id use it as an excuse to freshen upsome gaskets and clean some things up, but thats just me. Some people just want to do the job that needs to be done which is understandable

[e30h26]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Keeping the valve in place is no issue, TDC and an air compressor will work perfectly. You can also feed some rope into the bore to fill up the empty space if needed.

Removing the Valve Springs is not so much the issue, but fitting the new stronger Springs will be. Especially when trying with the "Hammer" style i.e.

Trying to push the stronger Springs down by had with that ^^^ will be a pain in the arse!

[GTRPSI]

With double valve springs ive used a piece of pipe to add leverage to the arm to help push the spring lower.

Yes air and piston at TDC is the best way.

Removing the springs you wont need the tool, a well placed whack square onto a socket on the retainer is all it takes to have it all come appart.

[scotty nm35]

I have seen some great tools for compressing the new springs to fit the retainers, most of the tools are model specific though, as they bolt to the cam journals. You could easily make something that would do the job I think, RB's are pretty easy to work on compared to some of the euro heads I have seen it done on.

[jiffo]

Those Snap On valve collet remove/replace tools you've shown are the go.

Don't go feeding rope etc down the bore, just set her at TDC for each PAIR of cylinders you're working on.

Be sure to lock the crank, it will spin off TDC otherwise.

Take lots of care, no collets down oil drain holes or valve springs shot off into space.

Old valve stem seals tend to disintegrate too so watch that gunge.