Need to find a way to remove and re-install valve springs in a B16A.
I do not have access to a proper valve spring compressor, but I do have a valve spring compressor I'm going to try to modify so that it'll work.
And tips are very welcome, I have to get home and I can't do it without the car.

 

removing the springs is easy if the head is out

this is what you need

19mm or 17mm 1/2" socket.....can't remember which one off the top of my head
1/2" Extension
Tweezers
Goggles
Hammer

with the extension on the socket, place it squarely onto the retainer and smack the extension with the hammer, the keepers will pop out and thats where the goggles and tweezers will come in handy


To re-install the valvesprings, you either need a C-clamp type Valve spring compressor with a Honda Adapter which you can buy at any dealership or a Snap-on valve spring compressor

there are tricks to installing valve springs like lubing up the valve with either engine oil or grease

 

Thanks man.
The re-install is my problem and I've got to try to figure something out...

 

BTW what does a honda adaptor look like?

 

Purchasing Snap-On's Valve spring Compressor ($175 CAN) tomorrow morning, that should take care of replacing valve springs retainers and keepers. In the process of trying to put new valve train in without a proper Valve spring compressor I managed to drop a keeper into the engine and I think I heard it hit the windage train. I almost barfed.
Tomorrow night after work I'm going to drop the oil pan and the windage tray and see if I can find it. I could't grap it with the telescopic magnet unfortunately...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sik civic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Purchasing Snap-On's Valve spring Compressor ($175 CAN) tomorrow morning, that should take care of replacing valve springs retainers and keepers. In the process of trying to put new valve train in without a proper Valve spring compressor I managed to drop a keeper into the engine and I think I heard it hit the windage train. I almost barfed.
Tomorrow night after work I'm going to drop the oil pan and the windage tray and see if I can find it. I could't grap it with the telescopic magnet unfortunately... </TD></TR></TABLE>

Good. Trying to do something without the right tool and "half assing" it will just lead to more expensive failure down the road. Good to see you got the right tool.

 

The only way to do it really. I'm through with makeing more problems for myself by trying to 'make something work'.
I'll let you know how the upgrade works tonight!

 

Another trick that helps is to use Honda power steering grease (petroleum jelly) on the retainers. It holds the keepers in place and they are less likely to go wandering around.

 

unfortunetly, the easiest way i have found to do this is with 2 people. one compresses the valvespring while the other drops the keepers in. if needed push the valvespring compressor around on the retainers to wiggle the vavlespring so you can get a wider gap to drop the keeper into. deos that make sense?
lol

yeah its a pain in the ***, but after the first 4 i get in a rythym and it gets easier

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by VtecKiDD &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">unfortunetly, the easiest way i have found to do this is with 2 people. one compresses the valvespring while the other drops the keepers in. if needed push the valvespring compressor around on the retainers to wiggle the vavlespring so you can get a wider gap to drop the keeper into. deos that make sense?
lol

yeah its a pain in the ***, but after the first 4 i get in a rythym and it gets easier</TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL. Apparently not if you still need two people.

 

well the valve spring guy doesnt do **** but compress the spring, the keeper guy is the one that does all the work!

the problem i have found is that if the valvespring tends to shift from one side to the other. so that makes it harder to line the keepers up. so with an exstra person around they can slide the valvespring back and forth around the valve to help the other guy out. thats the easiest way.

if i do it myself, ive gotten it down to around 3 hours by hand for RM gen1 springs.

 

I put the keepers in the retainer before I put them on. Then like vtec said, you have to kinda move the springs compressor back and forth a bit. I usually try to use my thumb and snap one in then you kinda have to move it so it is making room on the opposite side of the keeper you put in. I keep a long non magnetic screw driver in case my thumb won't snap it in.

If your doing something like the gen 1 spring, you need to get something plastic to fit inside the chamber of the head, and hold the valve up. It's really hard to get it compressed enough if the valve is not all the way up.

 

Nice tips.
I do also put the keepers in the retainers in before hand, find it's the only way I can do it.

 

Try using some lithium grease on the keepers also use a magnetic tipped screwdriver and a small pick to slide the keeper around the tip of the valve.

 

Nice
Got all the EX. Valve train it, now onto the In.
A little more awkward to reach than Ex.

 

Man, the intake side is more challenging. different technique.
Only one in since my last post.

 

Just setting valve lash and I'm gonna start her up.
CAN'T WAIT!